New York Rangers lose a close one, 4-3, to Carolina Hurricanes

After two periods of back and forth scoring last night, the New York Rangers entered the third period tied 3-3, but couldn’t get a fourth goal and gave up Carolina’s winning goal while shorthanded late in the period. The result, a 4-3 loss, their second in a row at home. Tonight they play the Maple Leafs up in Toronto before heading back to Madison Square Garden for a game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday. Photos by Avi Gerver, ©Madison Square Garden, L.P.

It’s always interesting when the Carolina Hurricanes or Pittsburgh Penguins come to town because fans get to see the Rangers’ Marc Staal play defense against one of his two brothers who are forwards in the NHL. His third brother, the youngest, currently plays for Carolina’s AHL affiliate and it’s only a matter of time before he breaks into the league for his first NHL game. Four children, all in the NHL? They must have some proud parents!

Eric and Marc Staal:

New York’s Ryan Callahan scores a goal on Carolina’s Cam Ward:

New York’s Todd White and Carolina’s Jeff Skinner:

The Rangers’ Brandon Prust and Hurricanes’ Jay Harrison:

New York’s Alex Frolov:

Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist dives on the puck after making one of his 34 saves:

Rangers assistant coach Mike Sullivan calls a play to two of his defensemen, Marc Staal and Dan Girardi:

New York’s Evgeny Grachev, called up from the AHL a day before the game to replace an injured Derek Boogaard, does a nice job filling his enormous skates with this bone-crushing hit on Carolina’s Joe Corvo:

New York’s Ryan Callahan tries to score a goal on Carolina goalie Cam Ward in the third period: