May 14, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Max Domi (13) celebrates his goal against the Boston Bruins during the second period in game seven of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
- The Rangers vs Hurricanes odds favor Carolina as -170 moneyline favorites in Game 1 on Wednesday (7:00 pm ET)
- Carolina won three of the four regular season matchups outscoring New York 16-8
- Read below for the Rangers vs Hurricanes Game 1 odds, analysis and betting prediction
Fresh off erasing a 3-1 series deficit in the opening round, the New York Rangers will now tangle with the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round.
Carolina, who finished atop the Metropolitan Division during the regular season, six points better than New York, is coming off a hard fought series of their own.
The Hurricanes needed seven games to dispatch the Boston Bruins, solidifying their place in the second round for the second consecutive year.
Game 1 takes place on Wednesday in Carolina, with oddsmakers showing the hometown Hurricanes plenty of respect.
Rangers vs Hurricanes Odds
| Team | Puck Line | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Rangers | +1.5 (-170) | O 5.5 (-120) | +145 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | -1.5 (+150) | U 5.5 (+100) | -170 |
Odds as of May 16th at Barstool Sportsbook.
Carolina is currently a -170 moneyline favorite, in a contest that features a total of 5.5. Puck drop is set for just after 7:00 pm ET, with ESPN providing the broadcast coverage.
As far as the series market goes, the Hurricanes are heavy -190 favorite to move on, while New York’s price to advance to the next round is +160.
New York vs Carolina Starting Goalies
On paper, the Rangers appear to have a significant advantage in goal. Vezina odds favorite Igor Shesterkin led the NHL in goals-against average (2.07) and save percentage (.935) during the regular season, but was inconsistent at best in the opening round.
Igor Shesterkin recorded 255 saves in seven games, the most in a single series by a Rangers goaltender (since 1955-56 when the NHL began officially tracking shots on goal).
— NYR Stats & Info (@NYRStatsInfo) May 16, 2022
Shesterkin was spectacular in Games 1 and 7, recording 79 and 42 save performances in a pair of victories, but was barely better than replacement level in the other five contests. He finished with a 3.66 goals against average versus the Penguins, the highest of any goalie who played at least six games.
He was 0-2 versus Carolina in the regular season, posting a 3.63 GAA and .883 save percentage. Makes you wonder which version of the All-Star netminder we’ll see on Wednesday.
The Hurricanes meanwhile, a top-three contender in Stanley Cup odds, will continue to roll with Antti Raanta. The 33-year-old filled in admirably for starter Frederik Andersen in the opening round, while Andersen continues to nurse a lower body injury with no timetable for a return.
“Raanta! Raanta! Raanta! Raanta!”@Canes | #LetsGoCanes pic.twitter.com/Who1WvO7n5
— Bally Sports: Canes (@CanesOnBally) May 14, 2022
Raanta posted a 2.37 GAA and .927 save percentage versus the Bruins, winning four of his six starts. He didn’t face the Rangers during the regular season, and is 0-0-1 versus them in one career start.
Rangers vs Hurricanes Betting Analysis
During the opening round, no team had a higher expected goals against or allowed more higher danger scoring chances than New York. Yet, despite getting outplayed by Pittsburgh, they managed to sneak into the second round.
That type of hockey won’t lead to success against Carolina, especially in the Hurricanes building. Carolina was 29-8-4 at home during the regular season and had massive home-road splits in the first round. They averaged 4.5 goals for and just 1.5 goals against in four games in Raleigh, compared to only 2 goals for and 4.7 goals against on the road.
There’s no place like this place.
There are no fans like our fans. pic.twitter.com/tQ6RWz5SsT
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) May 15, 2022
A big reason for their success in their own barn is the ability to sick Jordan Staal’s checking line on the opposing team’s most dangerous player. Staal completely neutralized Patrice Bergeron in the four games in Carolina during the first round, and will be tasked with shutting down Mika Zibanejad this series.
Rangers vs Hurricanes Head-to-Head Results
| Date | Away Team | Home Team | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/21/22 | Rangers | Hurricanes | CAR, 6-3 |
| 3/20/22 | Rangers | Hurricanes | NYR, 2-0 |
| 4/11/22 | Hurricanes | Rangers | CAR, 4-2 |
| 4/26/22 | Hurricanes | Rangers | CAR, 4-3 |
Game 1 Rangers vs Hurricanes Pick
The Hurricanes dominated the season series, winning three of four games, while outscoring the Rangers 16-8. Three of those contests cleared 5.5 goals, and Game 1 has a chance to exceed offensive expectations as well.
Carolina found great success versus Shesterkin in the regular season, and the 26-year-old’s shaky road outings in the first round have got to be a concern for New York fans. Shesterkin was pulled twice in three road starts and allowed 13 goals total in just six periods.
All seven of the Rangers first round games went over the total, while the over is 5-1-1 in the Hurricanes first seven playoff outings this season.
Picks: Over 5.5 goals (-120), Hurricanes Moneyline (-170)
As SBD’s resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he’d rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.