The Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers meet in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference 2nd-round series Sunday. Puck drop from Madison Square Garden is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Hurricanes vs. Rangers odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Hurricanes made quick work of the ‘other’ New York team in the 1st round, ousting the Islanders in 5 games. Carolina split the 2 games on Long Island, winning 3-2 in Game 3 as moderate favorites (-175) as the Under (5.5) cashed, while losing 3-2 in double-overtime in Game 4 as moderate faves (-180), also as the total went low.
Speaking of quick work, the Rangers broke out the brooms against the overmatched Washington Capitals, winning in 4 games. At home, New York won Game 1 by a 4-1 score as heavy favorites (-270) as the Under (5.5) cashed, while easing by the Caps in Game 2, 4-3, cashing narrowly as a heavy favorite (-280) as the Over (5.5) connected.
The Rangers won the regular-season series 2-1 against the Hurricanes, with the teams splitting 2 games at Madison Square Garden. New York won 2-1 on Nov. 2 as the Under (5.5) hit, while Carolina routed the Blueshirts 6-1 on Jan. 2 as slight underdogs (+110) as the Over (6) cashed.
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Hurricanes at Rangers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:23 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Hurricanes -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Rangers -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Hurricanes -1.5 (+220) | Rangers +1.5 (-275)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Hurricanes at Rangers projected goalies
Frederik Andersen (4-1-0, 2.25 GAA, .912 SV% – 2024 playoffs) vs. Igor Shesterkin (4-0-0, 1.75 GAA, .930 SV% – 2024 playoffs)
Andersen allowed 3 or fewer goals in each of his 5 playoff Games against the Islanders, and he kicked aside 125 of the 137 shots he faced. In 2 road Games, he allowed just 5 goals on 66 shots, with a loss in 2 OT in Game 4.
Against the Rangers in the regular season, Andersen allowed 2 goals on 26 shots in a 2-1 loss at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 2 in his only appearance against New York this season.
Shesterkin allowed 2 or fewer goals in 3 of his 4 outings against the Capitals, yielding 4 goals on 46 shots in 2 home playoff games at MSG.
Against the Hurricanes in the regular season, Shesterkin stopped all 28 shots he faced in a 1-0 road win on March 12 in Raleigh, and he stopped 26 of 27 shots in a 2-1 win on Nov. 2. However, Shesterkin also conceded 6 goals on 27 shots in a 6-1 whitewashing at home on Jan. 2 against the Canes.
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Hurricanes at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 3, Hurricanes 2
Moneyline
The RANGERS (-105) are slight underdogs at home despite having more points than the Hurricanes (-115) during the season, while winning 2 of the 3 regular-season meetings.
New York has also won 7 of the past 9 meetings since May 28, 2022, which includes the final 2 games of the last playoff series between the teams, which saw New York win in 7 games in a 2nd-round series. The Rangers went on to lose to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 6 games in the Eastern Conference Finals, in case you were wondering.
It’s a bit disrespectful to the Rangers to be underdogs at home in the series opener. Perhaps the books are considering a rust factor, since New York hasn’t played since April 28. Of course, Carolina wrapped up its series against the Isles on April 30, so both teams have had lengthy layoffs.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Rangers +1.5 (-275) will cost you nearly 3 times your potential return, and that’s a little too much risk for not enough reward. If you like the Blueshirts at MSG in Game 1, just play them straight up, and don’t worry about the puck line.
AVOID.
Over/Under
UNDER 5.5 (-120) is a strong play in Game 1. As mentioned above, rust could potentially be a factor, since both teams have had several days off since clinching their respective series.
When things get underway, both Andersen and Shesterkin have been masterful in these playoffs, and goals should be at a premium.
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