Goaltending and special teams have been the driving forces for the New York Rangers racing out to a 2-0 series lead over the Carolina Hurricanes, and the two Metropolitan Division rivals are set for a pivotal Game 3 at PNC Arena tonight.
My Rangers vs. Canes prediction isn't expecting another 54-save effort from Igor in Game 3 and sees Carolina getting the job done within 60 minutes.
Read all about it in my NHL picks for Thursday, May 9.
Rangers vs Hurricanes prediction
My best bet
Hurricanes in regulation (+103 at Pinnacle)
My analysis
It took a special showing from New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin to win Game 2, and the Carolina Hurricanes were only able to score three times despite generating 5.44 expected goals on 57 shots and 23 high-danger scoring chances.
New York scoring four power-play goals and going 10-for-10 on the penalty kill has been the difference in the series. So, while the special-teams battle has been unsustainably tilted in favor of New York through two games, Carolina has both the personnel and regular-season track record to flip the script with the man advantage and while shorthanded.
Carolina boasted an NHL-best 86.4% penalty kill and second-ranked 26.9% power play during the regular season. They also scored five PP goals in Round 1, so there's special-teams statistical correction ahead.
The Canes have also been the better team and outscored the Rangers at even strength, and as good as Shesterkin has been, Carolina has cracked the safe three times in consecutive games. I also value the home/road splits at 5-on-5 for both teams favoring the Hurricanes at PNC Arena.
| Rangers | CF% | GF% | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 52.2% | 50.6% | 50.6% |
| Away | 48.1% | 49.7% | 47.5% |
| Hurricanes | CF% | GF% | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 61.1% | 56.4% | 58.4% |
| Away | 58% | 50.9% | 55.4% |
Rangers vs Hurricanes same-game parlay (SGP)
Hurricanes in regulation
Martin Necas 3+ shots
Andrei Svechnikov 2+ shots
Carolina wingers Martin Necas and Andrei Svechnikov have combined for 31 attempts and just nine shots across the first two games of the series. They both averaged more shots per game and registered more per 60 minutes on home ice than the road during the regular season, and Necas and Svechnikov have only played 1:01 of ice time together in this series, so they won't be taking away shooting opportunities away from one another in Game 3.
Necas averaged 3.3 shots per game with a team-high 11.4 per 60 at PNC Arena, and Svechnikov averaged 2.7 per home game while ranking second in shots per 60 (9.5). Additionally, the go-to wingers are driving 5-on-5 possession with respective 60.2 and 62.2 Corsi For percentages through Games 1 and 2.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Rangers vs Hurricanes odds
Rangers vs Hurricanes live odds
Rangers vs Hurricanes opening odds
- Puck line: New York +1.5 (-176) | Carolina +154
- Moneyline: New York +152 | Carolina -173
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-109) | Under 5.5 (-105)
Rangers vs Hurricanes moneyline and Over/Under analysis
- There has been movement to the New York side of this moneyline Thursday morning, with Pinnacle moving to Carolina -160 after opening with the Hurricanes at -173 Wednesday morning.
- I suspect we’ll continue to see back-and-forth action leading into puck drop, but I don’t expect to see a significant shift in the moneyline odds.
- This total is a consensus of 5.5, and there hasn’t been any notable line movement.
- After there were seven goals in each of the first two games of the series, I’m a little surprised there hasn’t been more interest in the Over.
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Rangers vs Hurricanes trend
The Hurricanes have won 10 of its last 12 home games dating back to the regular season. Find more NHL betting trends for Rangers vs. Hurricanes.
Rangers vs Hurricanes game info
| Location: | PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC |
| Date: | Thursday, 5-9-2024 |
| Puck drop: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TNT |
Rangers vs Hurricanes latest injuries
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