Hurricanes vs. Rangers Odds
| Hurricanes Odds | +100 |
| Rangers Odds | -120 |
| Over/Under | 6 (+100 / -120) |
| Time | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
| Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
This could possibly be the biggest game of the season for both of these teams. The New York Rangers sit four points back of the first-place Carolina Hurricanes, but they have one game in hand. If they win this game, they will still have a very good chance to win the Metropolitan Division.
The main concern leading up to this game is Carolina's goaltending issues. Both of their top-two net-minders have injuries, but their backup, Antti Raanta, seems probable to play.
Carolina Hurricanes
Raanta might be able to play, but just in case he can't, the Hurricanes could be starting Pyotr Kochetkov.
Kochetkov is the expected starter at the moment and thus far on the season, he is 2-0-0 with a 2.07 GAA and a .889 save percentage. He hasn't looked all that bad, but his opponent on the other end just happens to be the best goalie in the league this season.
The Canes have won four straight games and they are only one win away from clinching the Metropolitan Division.
Even though their goalie situation is questionable right now, defense has not been an issue at all. They have been one of the best defensive teams in the league all season long and right now, they are ranked at the top.
As a team, they only allow 2.43 goals against per game while also allowing the least amount of shots against, giving up 28.1 each contest.
These two teams met not too long ago on April 12th. That was when the Canes got the best of the Rangers in Madison Square Garden, beating them by the score of 4-2.
Carolina's offense has also been very consistent this season for the most part. The Hurricanes have the 10th-best offensive production right now, scoring 3.34 goals per game. They have also tallied 21 goals over their last five games.
This matchup is very important for the Canes, as they want to clinch home ice for at least two rounds. But no matter what, the Rangers have the edge in goal.
New York Rangers
The Rangers have clinched home ice for the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but winning the division would be huge for them.
Even though the Rangers lost the last meeting between these two teams, I felt that they outplayed the Canes, outshooting them 30-25.
These two teams have battled all year and there is no doubt that Carolina has gotten the best of the Rangers. However, Igor Shesterkin only played in one out of the three previous games.
Shesterkin will be the difference maker in this game, since Freddie Andersen is unavailable for the Canes. The Rangers goaltender has been hands down the best goalie in the league this season, especially as of late.
Another key for the Rangers in this game is their power-play. Their man advantage unit has goals in four straight games, and are four for their last 10.
They currently have the third-best power-play in the league, converting at 26.2% over the course of the season.
That being said, in their previous two meetings against the Canes, their power-play is 0-for-6.
Hurricanes vs. Rangers Pick
I do think that home-ice advantage should be taken into account in this game, especially considering the fact that the Rangers are so good at home and the fans will be electric knowing how important this game is for them.
The Rangers are 26-8-4 on home ice this season and have won their last four games at Madison Square Garden.
I'm not really confident in Carolina without knowing who its starting goaltender will be, and I am super confident in Shesterkin's ability. I think this is the Rangers' game to lose and I trust them to perform at home.
Pick: New York Rangers ML -115
