Rangers vs. Hurricanes prediction: NHL odds, picks, bets for Tuesday
The Rangers’ debut with their playoff lineup delivered perhaps one of their most complete games of the season Saturday, shutting out St. Louis, 4-0.
New York has secured points in 13 of its last 15 games, but the Hurricanes continue to tailgate them by four points atop the Metropolitan Division standings entering Tuesday.
Carolina followed its trade deadline splash with back-to-back assertive wins over the weekend, outscoring its opposition by an 11-4 margin.
Rod Brind’Amour’s impermeable system is no thrill ride to watch, but it wins hockey games.
The Hurricanes make a strong case for the league’s best at five-on-five play, leading it in shot-attempt differential and ranking second in expected goals rate.
Jake Guentzel will help Carolina’s offense, but the 50-plus point scorer remains on injury reserve for Tuesday’s clash with the Rangers.
The Blueshirts continue to muster magic on the power play (3-for-6 vs. the Blues). Finding sustained success at even strength is a key checkbox for the Rangers in the final month of the season.
They controlled five-on-five play for the near entirety of the 6-1 loss to the Hurricanes on Jan. 2, but special teams and goaltending — the Rangers’ nightly strong suit — ironically proved the difference-maker.
Igor Shesterkin will get a shot to redeem himself for that performance. His rock-solid, post-All-Star break numbers have boosted him back into the top 10 of goaltenders in goals saved above expected.
The Rangers kill more than 83 percent of penalties in contrast to Carolina’s 85 percent, both of which rank within the top five.
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One power-play goal for the Rangers was the deciding factor in their 2-1 victory against the Canes on Nov. 2.
With the division lead at stake, Shesterkin’s revitalized play at this critical point in the Rangers’ push should counter the Canes’ league-best 25.5 shots allowed for a meticulous season finale between the two.
THE PLAY: Rangers-Hurricanes Under 6 goals (-120, BetMGM)
