Rangers Win Has Changed Momentum
The New York Rangers were sleepy through Games 1 and 2 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal, losing both outings while only scoring one game. Everything changed in Game 3, though, as they finally got on the board with a win.
The Rangers earned a hard-fought 3-1 and it was the first time that they looked in control. They were one of the league’s best home teams this season and rode that advantage.
Now the focus shifts to Game 4 where the Rangers will be looking to even this series. Diving into this NHL game betting preview, which side is the best bet versus the NHL odds?
Let’s check the latest NHL lines, stats, injury reports, and NHL odds for Hurricanes vs Rangers. We’ve plenty of NHL picks and predictions.
Hurricanes Offense Continues To Struggle
The Hurricanes’ offense has been mostly non-existent in the second round of the playoffs. However, the team scored just three combined goals through Games 1 and 2 but nobody cared or noticed because they won both outings.
Now as we add Game 3 into the mix, the Hurricanes have managed to score just four goals in three games. The truth is that the effort was there in Game 3 but they’re struggling to get past Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin.
The Hurricanes fired off 44 shots in Game 3. They averaged just over 34 shots per game in the regular season, so this was a good output. They couldn’t light the lamp enough, though, which is all that counts.
Carolina’s power play also did nothing. They went 0-3 in Game 3 and are now converting just 11.6% of their man-advantages in the playoffs. That’s the fourth-worst mark of the 16 playoff teams.
The Canes’ goaltending is still performing well as Antti Raanta posted a .938 save percentage in Game 3 despite giving up a pair of tallies. The offense just needs to do more for this team to get a win in Game 4.
Rangers Stars Deliver In Game 3
The Rangers’ offense had mostly been dormant through Games 1 and 2 as they managed just two goals. However, they scored three times in Game 3 as their stars showed up to lead the way.
Chris Kreider had 52 goals in the regular season – third-most in the NHL – and he had five goals in Round 1. He finally scored a goal in the second round, which proved to be the game-winner.
Mike Zibanejad chipped in a goal and an assist in Game 3, which was his first points of the series. He was second on the team in points in the regular season, so this type of contribution that’s expected.
Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox – two of the teams most important offensive weapons – also got their first points of the series. The Rangers need more of this if they’re to even up the series.
Hurricanes vs Rangers Head-to-Head
The Hurricanes dropped Game 3 but have still won five of the seven matchups this year. This looks like it’s going to be a low-scoring series the rest of the way through.
Hurricanes vs Rangers Game Information
- Game: Hurricanes (54-20-8) vs Rangers (52-24-6)
- Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
- Day/Time: Tuesday May 24, 7 p.m. ET
- Hurricanes vs Rangers: NHL.TV
Hurricanes vs Rangers Betting Lines
Hurricanes vs Rangers Prediction
Taking a look in the sportsbook, the Hurricanes are still a -320 favorite to win the series but the Rangers are now at -115 to win Game 4 – slightly better than the +100 they were at for Game 3.
Carolina hasn’t done well on the road this playoffs, so if you’re looking at a side, the Rangers might be the play versus the NHL odds. However, why mess around with the side when under looks so good?
The teams haven’t combined for more than four goals in any game and the totals have been at either 6 or 5.5 throughout. Go under in this one.
