The North Carolina squad took a 1-0 series lead.

Sebastian Aho helped the Hurricanes overtime when he scored with less than four minutes left in the third period.

Filip Chytil is the Rangers ’only goalcorer.

Antti Raanta stopped 28 shots for the Canes, while Igor Shesterkin saved 24 shots on the other end.

Game 2 of the series will take place on Friday, again in North Carolina. The series travels to New York on Sunday for matchup three.

Visitors are the first to register for points. Alexis Lafrenière blocked a pass from Tony DeAngelo before the disc was well delivered to Chytil. The latter shot at the reception and quickly beat Raanta.

Lafrenière’s trio will soon double the lead in New York’s formation by the end of the first period. Quebecer handed the disc to Kaapo Kakko who immediately passed the puck to Chytil, but the goalkeeper won at the last moment at the end of his pad.

With less than eight minutes left in the third period, Nino Niederreiter broke away and tried to tie the score. His shot beat Shesterkin, but hit the horizontal bar.

During the counterattack, the Rangers knocked on the door. Jumping on a return shot from Jacob Trouba, Kakko was unable to thread the needle despite Raanta dropping the net.

Seconds after hitting the horizontal bar, Aho broke away from Shesterkin. The New York doorman stopped the first shot, but he couldn’t push the return.

The Hurricanes only needed 3:12 to end the overtime debate. Cole followed his steps again and surprised Shesterkin with his spinning shot to the wrist. Jesperi Kotkaniemi got his first playoff point in that streak.