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Edgar Chaput
Rangers vs. Hurricanes Game 3 Prediction, Stanley Cup Playoff Odds
The Carolina Hurricanes worked up a storm of offence in Game 2 on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden. Few could walk away from that game and argue they looked second best. Yet it was all for naught, as timely Rangers’ offence on the powerplay saved the day in double-overtime with a 4-3 victory and 2-0 advantage in the series. The intensity level of the series also went up a notch in Game 2. God only knows what Jacob Trouba was thinking of when he went in to hit Martin Necas and flew horizontally into the boards.
For the third game in a row the Hurricanes are slightly favoured on the NHL Playoff odds’ moneyline. They’re price at -165, but will they make good on that potential this time?
Rangers vs. Hurricanes NHL Betting Odds
The expectancy that the Rangers will do away with the Hurricanes was raised significantly after the Game 2 OT win. What was a -140 price tag is now -322. The Hurricanes have dropped from +140 to +254.
That New York ends the battle in five matches is now more likely, having gone from +450 to +275. A Rangers win in six contests was +475 but has slimmed to +425. It isn’t looking great for Carolina. Even the most arduous road, seven games, is +450.
Speaking of the Hurricanes potentially coming back to win the series 4-3, that is exactly what New York did in 2022, with the roles completely reversed (Carolina had the home ice advantage and led 2-0 at this point). It also may be tempting to believe that the Canes now have the advantage of playing in front of their fans, but the Rangers were an excellent 25-12-4 on their travels this season.
New York Rangers
Teams that go on to win the Stanley Cup will have nights like Game 2 of this second round series. Were the Rangers perfect? Not in the slightest. They were outshot by a far margin (57-39), were victims of lot of blocked shots (40 to 27), looked a little slower than the Hurricanes during stretches.
But two things operated in their favour. The first was Igor Shesterkin. After a passable Game 1, he came out to play hard. He shielded his net from 54 of the 57 shots he faced, repelling some brilliant scoring opportunities. Not once in the third period or in the two overtime periods did he look nervous, rattled, or tired. It was a masterful performance, with a bit of attitude to boot whenever a Hurricanes player got too close.
The second thing was, once again, special teams. Although the power play wasn’t as ruthless as it often is (2-for-7), it was still more efficient than Carolina’s (0-for-5) and the winning goal in the second OT stanza was, you guessed it, a power play goal, this one from Vincent Trocheck (fifth). In fact, the tally that levelled the terms in the third period from Chris Kreider (third) was also on the man advantage. It’s getting predictable at this point, but so long as opponents are going to take the risk, the Rangers will make them pay.
Carolina Hurricanes
It’s back to the drawing board for the Canes. At the very least, Rod Brind’Amour’s ensemble take can a modicum of solace from the fact that they genuinely played well in Game 2. Were it not for an unforgettable night from the Rangers’ Shesterkin, this series is probably tied 1-1.
But it’s too late for that. Game 3 beckons and it’s a 2-0 New York lead. It is absolutely imperative that Carolina be more disciplined. It doesn’t matter how good their penalty kill was during the regular season, New York seems to know how to outmanoeuvre it. By the same token, they need to get the power play going. Carolina is 0-for-10 through two games. It’s unfortunate because when playing at even strength, they create plenty of chances and score goals. Speaking of goals, Jake Guentzel (second and third) and Dmitry Orlov (second) tallied for the visitors on Tuesday.
NYR
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