NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Hurricanes vs Rangers Game 2 (Tuesday, May 7)
Getty Images
Hurricanes vs. Rangers Odds
| Hurricanes Odds | -122 |
| Rangers Odds | +102 |
| Over / Under | 5.5 +110o / -134u |
Here's everything you need to know about the Hurricanes vs. Rangers odds for Game 2 on Tuesday, May 7 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
Hurricanes vs. Rangers odds have Carolina as a -120 moneyline favorite while the total is set at 5.5 goals, as of this writing. Five or fewer total goals scored have been scored in four of the past six meetings between these two clubs.
Find out why I think we should expect a similar result in Game 2 of this series as I make a Hurricanes vs. Rangers pick and prediction.
While there were seven total goals scored in Game 1 of this series, there have been five or fewer scored in 12 of Carolina's past 20 games. A major factor in this 60% hit rate has been the play of goaltender Frederik Andersen, who has been dominant since returning to the crease in March.
Over his past 16 games since returning, Andersen is 13-3 with a commanding .932 SV% and 1.78 GAA. There have been five or fewer total goals scored in 10 of those 16 outings.
But making Andersen's job easier is the fact that he plays behind one of the best defensive teams in hockey. Of the 16 playoff teams, the Hurricanes rank fourth this postseason in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).
However, this group has struggled to produce high-danger scoring chances at even strength, as they rank 10th out of the 16 teams in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at 5-on-5. They've been stronger on special teams, but that doesn't concern me in this matchup since New York ranks third this postseason in penalty kill percentage at an excellent 91%.
Not only have the Rangers' penalty-killing units done their job well, but this team is also preventing high-danger scoring chances at even strength. Among the eight remaining playoff teams, New York ranks second this postseason in xGA/60 at 5-on-5.
Backing up this strong defensive play is goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who remains one of the world's best netminders. Dating back to the regular season, Shesterkin has allowed two or fewer goals in five of his past seven starts. He is 7-0 over that stretch with an absurd .936 SV% and 1.70 GAA. There were five or fewer total goals scored in four of those seven outings.
This success is likely to continue against Carolina, a team Shesterkin has dominated over the past couple of seasons with a 9-5 record, .933 SV% and 2.09 GAA across the past 14 meetings. Going back to the trends, five or fewer total goals were scored in nine of those 14 games.
Hurricanes vs. Rangers
Betting Pick & Prediction
Despite New York's 4-3 win in Game 1, there is reason to be concerned with Shesterkin's goal support moving forward. At 5-on-5, the Rangers rank last among the eight remaining playoff teams this postseason in xGF/60.
Their numbers improve when on the power play (half of their goals in Game 1), but Carolina allowing two goals on two power plays is not something that will continue to happen moving forward. This season, the Canes finished in the top 10 in both penalty kill percentage and penalty minutes taken per game.
I fully trust Andersen and Shesterkin, and I would be shocked if we see another high-scoring affair like we saw in Game 1.
Pick: Under 5.5 (-115 at FanDuel | Play to -120)
How would you rate this article?
Follow Us On Social
