Hurricanes vs. Rangers Game 3 Odds
| Hurricanes Odds | -115 |
| Rangers Odds | -105 |
| Over/Under | 5.5 (+120/-140) |
| Time | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
| Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
Game 3 is set to get underway in this Second Round series as the New York Rangers host the Carolina Hurricanes following Friday's 2-0 loss in Carolina. Each of the first two games in this series has now seen three or fewer total goals scored.
Will we get another low-scoring affair between these two teams, or can the offense pick up in Game 3?
Hurricanes Can't Find Their Offense
The Carolina Hurricanes enter this contest with a 2-0 series lead after winning both home games to start the Second Round. Carolina's starting goaltender, Antti Raanta, continues to serve as an amazing backbone for this team in this playoff run.
Through the first two games of this series, Raanta has stopped 48 of 49 shots for a 0.980 save percentage. These have not been simple saves either as Raanta has produced a game average of +1.93 goals saved above expected (GSAx).
To put that figure into perspective, if that was his game average throughout the entire postseason, Raanta would rank first amongst starting goaltenders in the playoffs in GSAx per 60 minutes. In front of Raanta is a very solid blue that has helped make his job easier.
Carolina now ranks third amongst the remaining playoff teams in five-on-five expected goals against (xGA) per 60 minutes. However, Carolina's offense has obviously struggled not only in this series but in the postseason as a whole.
Among the remaining eight teams, the Hurricanes rank sixth in five-on-five expected goals for (xGF) per 60 minutes. Scoring only three goals between the first two games and going against one of the best goaltenders in the world, I do not expect much positive regression from this Carolina offense.
Rangers In Dire Need of a Boost
The New York Rangers return home in desperate need to prevent falling down 3-0 to the Hurricanes. As I hinted at above, the majority of this burden falls on the shoulders of starting goaltender Igor Shesterkin.
Shesterkin has been excellent to start the second round as he has stopped 44-of-47 shots for a 0.936 save percentage through the first two games. Through those two starts, Shesterkin has produced a game average of +1.07 GSAx.
If that was Shesterkin's game average throughout the entire postseason, he would rank third amongst starting goaltenders in the playoffs in GSAx per 60 minutes. It is safe to assume we will not see much regression from the Vezina Trophy favorite as he dominated the league throughout the entire season, producing a league-leading 0.935 save percentage and 2.07 goals allowed average.
Like Carolina, the Rangers' offense has not done their part in helping out Shesterkin. Through their first two games in this series, the Rangers have generated a game average of just 2.43 xGF.
Amongst the eight remaining teams, the Rangers rank seventh in five-on-five xGF per 60 minutes. This metric has been a troubling indication of how the Rangers have fared at even strength all season as they rank just 28th in the league in five-on-five xGF per 60 minutes.
Hurricanes vs. Rangers Pick
With each of the first two games in this series playing at an incredibly slow pace, I like the trend of the score going under the total to continue. Not only are these teams failing to generate high-danger scoring chances, but they are also struggling just to get shots on net as a majority of this series thus far has been a battle over the neutral zone.
Add to the fact that both goaltenders have been outstanding when they do have to make a big stop, I think we will see yet another low-scoring affair between these two teams.
I am taking the alternate total at five with the under at plus money as each of the first two games has seen three or fewer goals and I do not want to lay the heavy juice at 5.5.
Pick: Hurricanes/Rangers u5 (+125) | Play down to (+115)
