The New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes meet for Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals playoff series Wednesday at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we look at the Rangers vs. Hurricanes Game 1 odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Rangers won 3 straight elimination contests against the Pittsburgh Penguins, erasing a 3-1 series deficit to win in 7 games. The good news is that New York scored an average of 4.0 goals per game in the Pittsburgh series, but the bad news is that they allowed 23 goals across the final 5 games.
The Hurricanes went 0-3 on the road and 4-0 at home in their opening series against the Boston Bruins. The good news is that the Metropolitan Division champions have home-ice advantage in this series, and Carolina won the division thanks mostly in large part to a pair of late-season road wins against these Rangers in April.
Rangers at Hurricanes odds and lines
- Money line: Rangers +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Hurricanes -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Bruins +1.5 (-180) | Hurricanes -1.5 (+140)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -120 | U: -105)
Rangers at Hurricanes projected goalies
Igor Shesterkin (4-2-0, 3.66 GAA, .910 SV%, postseason) vs Antti Raanta (3-2-0, 2.37 GAA, .927 SV%, postseason)
Shesterkin made 118 saves in the first 2 games of the Penguins series. He posted 79 saves in Game 1, a triple-overtime loss, the 2nd-most saves in a playoff game in NHL history. Shesterkin looked fatigued in Games 3 and 4, and he was pulled in each. However, he bounced back with 3 straight wins to close out the series.
Raanta overcame an injury early in the Boston series to pick up 3 victories, including Game 7. The status for regular starter G Frederik Anderson (lower body) is uncertain, so it’s likely Raanta between the pipes until further notice.
Money line
The HURRICANES (-175) are a little on the expensive side, but they’re worth playing based on their dominance at home. Carolina won all 4 games at PNC Arena against Boston and is 41-14 in the past 55 games as a home favorite.
Against the spread
The HURRICANES -1.5 (+140) are worth a roll of the dice, although it will be difficult for the offense to solve a well-rested Shesterkin. While the Rangers have dominated the Hurricanes over the years, Carolina has won 6 of the last 7 meetings overall, while covering the puck line in 4 of the past 6 matchups.
Over/Under
OVER 5.5 (-120) is worth playing lightly based on the first series results for both teams. The Rangers cashed the Over in all 7 games against the Penguins, while the Hurricanes went 5-1-1 to the Over against the Bruins.
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