Carolina Hurricanes vs. N.Y. Rangers Prediction, Preview, and Odds

Tonight we have an awesome matchup in the Metropolitan Division between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Rangers. Both of these teams come into tonight’s game on win streaks as they sit at the top of the Metro Division. Last season in the four games these divisional teams played, the Rangers went 3-1, winning 5-3 on the road, 6-2 at home, losing 3-2 on the road, and then winning again 2-1 at home. The puck drops at 7 p.m. EST at the historic Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Canes come into tonight’s game on a three-game win streak

Last season the Hurricanes were the best team in the Metropolitan Division, losing in the Eastern Conference Finals and there’s Stanley Cup Finals on this year’s team. The Canes come into tonight’s game on a three-game win streak after a slow start to the season, improving to 6-4 on the year. They’re coming off a 3-2 win on the road against the Flyers on Monday night. Teuvo Teravainen scored the game-winner i that game with just 3:47 left in regulation as Carolina outshot Philly 32-28 but they were dominated by an expected goal rate of 4.41-2.28 as they pulled out the unlikely win.

The Hurricanes have been great offensively to start the year, averaging 3.6 goals per game, the sixth-most in the NHL, on an average of 35.1 shots per game. They’ve generated the eighth-most expected goals per 60 minutes (3.44) and the second-most high-danger shots in the league. Jasper Kotkaniemi (10 points, 6 assists) and Teuvo Teravainen (8 goals) lead them in scoring this season.

Carolina has struggled defensively so far this season, which is a pretty big surprise considering how good they were on the back end last year. They’ve allowed an average of 3.7 goals per game, the fourth-most in the NHL, on an average of 26.1 shots allowed per game. They’ve given up the eleventh-fewest expected goals per 60 minutes (2.95) and the 15th-most high-danger shots. Frederik Andersen is projected to start in goal this season. He has a perfect 4-0 record this season with a 3.06 GAA and a .888 save percentage.

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Rangers off to a fantastic start to the year, on a five-game winning streak

After losing in seven games to the Devils in the first round of the playoffs last year, the Rangers are off to a hot start this season, coming into tonight’s game on a five-game win streak to improve to 7-2 on the year. They’re coming off back-to-back overtime wins on the road, beating Winnipeg 3-2 on Monday night. In the win on Mika Zibanejad’s OT winner, New York was outshot 29-26 but they outplayed the Jets by an expected goal rate of 2.41-2.15.

The Rangers offense has been around league average to open the season. They’re scoring an average of 3.11 goals per game, the 16th-fewest in the NHL, on an average of 28.1 shots per game. They’ve generated the eleventh-fewest expected goals per 60 minutes (2.95) and the seventh-fewest high-danger shots in the league. Artemi Panarin (15 points, 10 assists) and Chris Kreider (6 goals) lead them in scoring this season.

New York’s defense has been phenomenal so far this season, allowing an average of just 2 goals per game, the second-fewest in the NHL, on an average of 26.2 shots allowed per game. They’ve given up the second-fewest expected goals per 60 minutes (2.63) and the twelfth-fewest high-danger shots. Former Vezina winner Igor Shesterkin is projected to start in goal tonight. This season he’s 5-2 with a 2.56 GAA and a .905 save percentage.

Best Bets

Full-Game Side Bet

Rating:

I like the Rangers to continue their win streak, giving them a pretty big defensive edge in this game to get the win at home. New York has been excellent defensively through their start to the season, allowing an average of just 2 goals per game, the second-fewest in the NHL. They’ve given up the second-fewest expected goals per 60 minutes (2.63) and the twelfth-fewest high-danger shots. Carolina meanwhile, has allowed the fourth-most goals in the league to start their season. 

Take the Rangers to win at home.

Prediction: Rangers ML (-120)

Full-Game Total Pick

Rating:

Both of these teams have trended under as of late with really good defense and goaltending. The Rangers have had one of the best defenses in the NHL to start this year. They’ve allowed just the second-fewest goals in the league, having given up the second-fewest expected goals per 60 minutes (2.63) and the twelfth-fewest high-danger shots. The Hurricanes have done a good job at limiting chances, giving up the eleventh-fewest expected goals per 60 minutes (2.95). With the matchup in goal of Shesterkin and Andersen, this should be a low-scoring grind of a game. I like that the price on it is even money to sweeten the bet too.

Take the under here and expect a defensive battle.