Carolina Hurricanes (52-23-7) vs. New York Rangers (55-23-4)
Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Rangers Game 1 5/5/24 – As the puck is set to drop at Madison Square Garden this Sunday, the stage is set for a thrilling NHL Playoffs second-round opener between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Rangers. Both teams have showcased exceptional performances this season, with the Hurricanes securing a solid 52-23-7 record and the Rangers slightly edging them out at 55-23-4. As fans and bettors alike gear up for this clash, premium picks today will be on many a bettor’s agenda, looking to capitalize on what promises to be a fiercely contested matchup.
The Hurricanes are boosted with an imposing forwards line headed by Sebastian Aho, who has so far tallied 36 goals and 53 assists. Aho’s keen ability to play around proximity and his goal production will significantly matter as the Rangers defense, although persistent in its feats, will definitely be put to test. Seth Jarvis and Martin Necas are additional strengths of our attack, especially since we are likely to be the one who suffers thanks to the Rangers’ defense, which has on average allowed 2.58 goals per game during this year.
On the contrasting notches, the dynamic Rangers have their counter in Artemi Panarin, one of the league’s top performers with his astonishing 120 points in the season. Along with Vincent Trocheck and Chris Kreider, Panarin takes part in the Rangers successful games injecting velocity and accuracy to the outcome. The Hurricanes’ defense, which is quite strong, needs to tighten itself against the power play prowess of the Rangers, particularly in which Kreider alone has 18 of his goals scored from power play.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Rangers Game 1 5/5/24 Game Info
| When: | Sunday, May 5, 2024, Time: TBD |
| Where: | Madison Square Garden |
| TV: | TBD |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov vs. Goaltender Igor Shesterkin
Pyotr Kochetkov has served as a trusted pillar for the Hurricanes, preserving a save percentage of .911 during 42 games. He will need his agility and reflexes to prevent the speedy Ranger’s offense, an oftentimes dangerous one in the league, from scoring. The ability of Kochetkov to perform in shootouts and at times of stress will be a key feature here.
In contrast, Igor Shesterkin, who has made 55 appearances with a save percentage of .913, is going to test the Tar Heels’ defense. Scoring some important saves and experience of playing in the high-stakes games is where Shatskerin could make the difference and give Rangers an advantage necessary for them to counter Carolina’s offensive waves.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
As the betting odds are yet to be determined, bettors should keep an eye on the opening lines. Given the tight match-up, odds are expected to be close, and decisions on puck lines and over/unders will be pivotal.
Carolina Hurricanes Betting Trends
The Hurricanes had a good time, which was evident in their last 5 games as they only lost one of them. Even so, it is quite unexpected for them to get two road losses according to the spread (0-2) which might be a cause for concern for bettors. The team has witnessed a total two of the last five contests go OVER scoring a high-level scoring victory, showing some trend of continuing it given the attacking potential of both teams.
New York Rangers Betting Trends
The Rangers have shown their prowess throughout their journey with a 4-0 streak in the last 5 games. Whether they beat the spread in the last few games, that includes some away matches (2-0) gives them more trust. Over has won in two of the 4 last games of the Gators compared to that of the Hurricanes.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Rangers 5/5/24 Betting Picks
Given the offensive strengths of both teams and the stellar goaltending on either end, this game is poised to be tightly contested. Bettors should consider the performance trends and the impact of home advantage for the Rangers in their final decision-making.
In terms of betting, the smart money might be on a close game, likely pushing the total to go OVER. Prop bets on top performers like Aho and Panarin could also be profitable given their current form.
As we delve into this Free NHL Playoffs 2024 matchup analysis, the New York Rangers, with their slightly better overall and recent performance, combined with the home advantage, are likely to edge out a victory in a high-scoring affair.
Free Pick and Prediction: New York Rangers 4, Carolina Hurricanes 3.