New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes Prediction: Will Goaltending Be the Difference Tonight?
New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes Prediction: Will Goaltending Be the Difference Tonight?
The Hurricanes and Rangers battle tonight in what is a very important divisional game. The Rangers sit four points behind the Canes with three games remaining on the schedule. New York has a game in hand on the Canes so the winner of this game could end up being the eventual Metro Division Champion. Carolina has won four in a row and are coming off a 5-2 win, on Long Island, on Sunday. The Rangers have won seven of their last nine but are coming off a 3-1 defeat, at Boston, on Saturday.
Click Here for Rangers vs Hurricanes Odds
New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes Prediction
The Canes have questions in goal right now. Freddie Andersen has been out for two weeks with an undisclosed injury. Backup Antti Raanta left Sunday's game with an injury, he is probable to start tonight, however. On the road this season, where the Canes are 24-12-4, they are averaging 3.45 goals per game and their Power Play is 14th, at 20%. The Canes are allowing 2.75 goals per game, on the road, which is the sixth least in the league. Their Penalty Kill is 83.8%, the fourth best in the league.
The New York Rangers have a home record of 26-8-4, where they average 3.16 goals per game. Their home Power play is eighth-best at 24.5%. New York is allowing 2.18 goals against per game at home and their Penalty Kill is 84.4%, which is seventh-best among home teams. These defensive home numbers can be attributed to Igor Shesterkin. The probable Vezina winner has a record of 21-5-3, at Madison Square Garden, with a 1.77 Goals Against Average, and. .942 Save Percentage.
This is the fourth and final meeting of the season between these teams. The Canes have won two of the previous three, including a 4-2 win at MSG last month. I like the Rangers to get retribution tonight as their Goaltending will be the difference here.
Carolina Hurricanes at New York Rangers Pick
New York Rangers -110 (Bet $110 to win $100)
Article Author
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Tone has been handicapping the four major sports for over twenty years. An NHL enthusiast, Tone’s expertise lies on the ice. He’s excelled and profited finding the right angles on NHL games, particularly with player props, game props, and game totals. A contributor to several gaming sites, you can follow him on Twitter @TonesTakes.