On Saturday the New York Rangers have an opportunity to put the Carolina Hurricanes to the sword in Game 4. They already lead the series 3-0.
Similar to knockout-round soccer, playoff hockey can be a cruel sport. A club can put in a performance, or multiple performances, worthy of praise. Efforts that on almost any other day would grant victory. But it isn’t always so. No one could justifiably argue that the Carolina Hurricanes have played poor hockey for three games, yet it is the New York Rangers with a 3-0 stranglehold. The latest coup was a thrilling 3-2 overtime win on Thursday night.
For Game 4 – for the fourth consecutive game – the Hurricanes are favoured to win, this time at -145 on the moneyline, per the NHL Playoff odds.
Rangers vs. Hurricanes NHL Betting Odds
This is not to say that the Rangers haven’t played well. They have, but that this is a 3-0 series is a bit confounding for Carolina supporters.
The odds for the series have understandably gotten rather steep. A Hurricanes win is now +900, whereas it was +245 heading into the third contest.
As for New York, the odds read like “when?” rather than “if.” Five games is +210, six games jumps to +650, and a victory in seven games, which requires New York to drop three in a row, is +850.
The Rangers are a perfect 7-0 throughout the playoffs, the only team to have not lost a game. Unlike previous Presidents’ Trophy-winning sides, New York is showcasing why they entered the post season as the top dog.
New York Rangers
The conversation about how the Rangers are in this situation begins and ends with goalie Igor Shesterkin. His save percentage is a stunning .953 to go along with an enviable 2.01 goals against average. In the last two games alone, he’s stopped 99 of the 104 shots his net has faced. There is simply no way a club as talented as the Rangers loses if their goalie is putting up those numbers.
The old saying goes that a team’s stars have to be its stars. It sounds redundant, but it’s brought up every year because teams go far in the playoffs when the stars show why they are given that moniker. Who scored for New York in Game 3? Chris Kreider (fourth) on the penalty kill, Alexis Lafreniere in the third period, and Artemi Panarin netted the OT winner with a lovely tip in the crease that had him raise his left leg to get the shot off like he was dancing a jig. Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck, two other critical players, helped with some apples.
The Rangers are rolling right now, and it doesn’t look as if a team as talented as the Hurricanes is going to stop them.
Carolina Hurricanes
Speaking of Carolina, this second-round series has shades of last year’s Eastern Conference Final. The Florida Panthers swept the Canes, yet, like with the present series, it would have been difficult to make a case arguing that Carolina was bad.
They outshot their opponents for the second game in a row and looked excellent for extended sequences. But good teams can play well yet not cash in their opportunities. The great teams make great things happen. That is what separates the Hurricanes (good team) from the Rangers (great team). Not only did the hosts fail to net on the power play (0-for-5 on Thursday and 0-for-15 in the series), but a terrible mistake paved the way for a New York shorthanded goal.
Jake Guentzel’s decent productivity continued as he got his fourth of the postseason, and Andrei Svechnikov gave his side hope by tying the game at 18:24 of the third period, yet as with Games 1 and 2, it was all for naught.
Stanley Cup Playoff Prediction: Who Will Win Rangers vs. Hurricanes Game 4?
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RANGERS
4 -
HURRICANES
3
Score
Prediction
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 10 May 2:43am | CAR | -1.5 +170 | O +5.5 -105 |
| Closing 12 May 1:13am | CAR | -1.5 +600 | U +7.5 -225 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Rangers Team Leaders
| Points |
120 |
| + / - |
22 |
| Shots |
302 |
| Penalty Mins |
73 |
| Wins |
36 |
| GAA |
1 |
| Points |
89 |
| + / - |
34 |
| Shots |
231 |
| Penalty Mins |
64 |
| Wins |
23 |
| GAA |
1.84 |
| Points |
20 |
| + / - |
5 |
| Shots |
44 |
| Penalty Mins |
22 |
| Wins |
10 |
| GAA |
2.34 |
| Points |
12 |
| + / - |
7 |
| Shots |
30 |
| Penalty Mins |
21 |
| Wins |
6 |
| GAA |
2.62 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Hurricanes Team Leaders
| Points |
120 |
| + / - |
22 |
| Shots |
302 |
| Penalty Mins |
73 |
| Wins |
36 |
| GAA |
1 |
| Points |
89 |
| + / - |
34 |
| Shots |
231 |
| Penalty Mins |
64 |
| Wins |
23 |
| GAA |
1.84 |
| Points |
20 |
| + / - |
5 |
| Shots |
44 |
| Penalty Mins |
22 |
| Wins |
10 |
| GAA |
2.34 |
| Points |
12 |
| + / - |
7 |
| Shots |
30 |
| Penalty Mins |
21 |
| Wins |
6 |
| GAA |
2.62 |
Injuries
Jimmy Vesey (LW)
Chris Kreider (LW)
Filip Chytil (C)
Alex Wennberg (C)
Alex Wennberg (C)
Erik Gustafsson (D)
Ryan Lindgren (D)
Matt Rempe (C)
Adam Fox (D)
Jacob Trouba (D)
Tony DeAngelo (D)
Brett Pesce (D)
Jesper Fast (RW)
Frederik Andersen (G)
Seth Jarvis (C)
Brett Pesce (D)
Jaccob Slavin (D)
Jordan Staal (C)
Andrei Svechnikov (RW)
Jake Guentzel (LW)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jimmy Vesey (LW) | Ques Mon | Upper Body - 24 / 05 / 24 | 4-1 | 1-4 | + - |
|
Vesey missed the previous four contests due to an upper-body injury, and it is uncertain if he will be active against the Panthers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final. |
|||||
| Chris Kreider (LW) | Prob Thurs | Undisclosed - 16 / 05 / 24 | 5-2 | 2-5 | + - |
|
Kreider is dealing with a undisclosed injury, but he is likely to suit up against the Hurricanes on Thursday. |
|||||
| Filip Chytil (C) | day-to-day | Illness - 11 / 05 / 24 | 7-2 | 3-6 | + - |
|
Chytil is dealing with an illness, and it is yet to be established if he would be available for Eastern Conference final. |
|||||
| Alex Wennberg (C) | Ques Fri | Undisclosed - 26 / 04 / 24 | 11-3 | 7-7 | + - |
|
Wennberg is tending to an unknown ailment, and it remains to be seen if he will face the Capitals in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Alex Wennberg (C) | Prob Thurs | Personal - 26 / 03 / 24 | 16-11 | 15-12 | + - |
|
Wennberg missed the previous match with a personal matter, but it is predicted that he will face the Avalanche on Thursday. |
|||||
| Erik Gustafsson (D) | Ques Wed | Upper Body - 25 / 03 / 24 | 16-11 | 15-12 | + - |
|
Gustafsson has been absent from the last four contests with an upper-body injury, and his status for Wednesday's battle against the Devils is unclear. |
|||||
| Ryan Lindgren (D) | Prob Thurs | Lower Body - 17 / 03 / 24 | 19-12 | 19-12 | + - |
|
Lindgren has been shut down with a lower-body injury, but he is expected to return to the ice Thursday versus the Avalanche. |
|||||
| Matt Rempe (C) | Elig Tues | Suspension - 12 / 03 / 24 | 21-13 | 20-14 | + - |
|
Rempe has received a four-game suspension for elbowing, and he will be eligible to return Tuesday against the Jets. |
|||||
| Adam Fox (D) | Ques Mon | Illness - 11 / 03 / 24 | 22-13 | 20-15 | + - |
|
Fox is nursing an illness, and it is unknown if he will face the Devils on Monday. |
|||||
| Jacob Trouba (D) | Prob Sat | Lower Body - 07 / 03 / 24 | 22-14 | 21-15 | + - |
|
Trouba has been idle due to a lower-body injury, but he is projected to return against the Coyotes on Saturday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tony DeAngelo (D) | Prob Sun | Wrist - 01 / 05 / 24 | 2-4 | 4-2 | + - |
|
DeAngelo is bothered by a wrist ailment, but it is likely that he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Rangers. |
|||||
| Brett Pesce (D) | Out indefinitely | Lower Body - 22 / 04 / 24 | 4-6 | 5-5 | + - |
|
Pesce is out of action due to a lower-body issue, and he will miss an extended period. |
|||||
| Jesper Fast (RW) | out of season | Neck - 17 / 04 / 24 | 4-7 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Fast is expected to miss the remainder of the season due to a neck strain. |
|||||
| Frederik Andersen (G) | Out Tues | Rest - 16 / 04 / 24 | 5-7 | 6-5-1 | + - |
|
Andersen is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's clash with the Blue Jackets as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Seth Jarvis (C) | Out Tues | Rest - 16 / 04 / 24 | 5-7 | 6-5-1 | + - |
|
Jarvis will not be available for Tuesday's contest versus the Blue Jackets as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Brett Pesce (D) | Out Tues | Rest - 16 / 04 / 24 | 5-7 | 6-5-1 | + - |
|
Pesce will not participate in Tuesday's tilt with the Blue Jackets as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Jaccob Slavin (D) | Out Tues | Rest - 16 / 04 / 24 | 5-7 | 6-5-1 | + - |
|
Slavin is absent from the starting lineup for Tuesday's showdown against the Blue Jackets as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Jordan Staal (C) | Out Tues | Rest - 16 / 04 / 24 | 5-7 | 6-5-1 | + - |
|
Staal will receive a day of rest and will not lace up against the Blue Jackets on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Andrei Svechnikov (RW) | Out Tues | Rest - 16 / 04 / 24 | 5-7 | 6-5-1 | + - |
|
Svechnikov will not battle the Blue Jackets on Tuesday as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Jake Guentzel (LW) | Out Tues | Rest - 16 / 04 / 24 | 5-7 | 6-5-1 | + - |
|
Guentzel will not be active for Tuesday's game versus the Blue Jackets as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 10 May 2:43am CAR -1.5 +170 O +5.5 -105 Closing 12 May 1:13am CAR -1.5 +600 U +7.5 -225 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Rangers Team Leaders
Points 120
+ / - 22
Shots 302
Penalty Mins 73
Wins 36
GAA 1
Points 89
+ / - 34
Shots 231
Penalty Mins 64
Wins 23
GAA 1.84
Points 20
+ / - 5
Shots 44
Penalty Mins 22
Wins 10
GAA 2.34
Points 12
+ / - 7
Shots 30
Penalty Mins 21
Wins 6
GAA 2.62
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Hurricanes Team Leaders
Points 120
+ / - 22
Shots 302
Penalty Mins 73
Wins 36
GAA 1
Points 89
+ / - 34
Shots 231
Penalty Mins 64
Wins 23
GAA 1.84
Points 20
+ / - 5
Shots 44
Penalty Mins 22
Wins 10
GAA 2.34
Points 12
+ / - 7
Shots 30
Penalty Mins 21
Wins 6
GAA 2.62
-
Injuries
Jimmy Vesey (LW)
Ques Mon Upper Body - 24 / 05 / 24Chris Kreider (LW)
Prob Thurs Undisclosed - 16 / 05 / 24Filip Chytil (C)
day-to-day Illness - 11 / 05 / 24Alex Wennberg (C)
Ques Fri Undisclosed - 26 / 04 / 24Alex Wennberg (C)
Prob Thurs Personal - 26 / 03 / 24Erik Gustafsson (D)
Ques Wed Upper Body - 25 / 03 / 24Ryan Lindgren (D)
Prob Thurs Lower Body - 17 / 03 / 24Matt Rempe (C)
Elig Tues Suspension - 12 / 03 / 24Adam Fox (D)
Ques Mon Illness - 11 / 03 / 24Jacob Trouba (D)
Prob Sat Lower Body - 07 / 03 / 24Tony DeAngelo (D)
Prob Sun Wrist - 01 / 05 / 24Brett Pesce (D)
Out indefinitely Lower Body - 22 / 04 / 24Jesper Fast (RW)
out of season Neck - 17 / 04 / 24Frederik Andersen (G)
Out Tues Rest - 16 / 04 / 24Seth Jarvis (C)
Out Tues Rest - 16 / 04 / 24Brett Pesce (D)
Out Tues Rest - 16 / 04 / 24Jaccob Slavin (D)
Out Tues Rest - 16 / 04 / 24Jordan Staal (C)
Out Tues Rest - 16 / 04 / 24Andrei Svechnikov (RW)
Out Tues Rest - 16 / 04 / 24Jake Guentzel (LW)
Out Tues Rest - 16 / 04 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jimmy Vesey (LW) Ques Mon Upper Body - 24 / 05 / 24 4-1 1-4 + - Vesey missed the previous four contests due to an upper-body injury, and it is uncertain if he will be active against the Panthers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final.
Chris Kreider (LW) Prob Thurs Undisclosed - 16 / 05 / 24 5-2 2-5 + - Kreider is dealing with a undisclosed injury, but he is likely to suit up against the Hurricanes on Thursday.
Filip Chytil (C) day-to-day Illness - 11 / 05 / 24 7-2 3-6 + - Chytil is dealing with an illness, and it is yet to be established if he would be available for Eastern Conference final.
Alex Wennberg (C) Ques Fri Undisclosed - 26 / 04 / 24 11-3 7-7 + - Wennberg is tending to an unknown ailment, and it remains to be seen if he will face the Capitals in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Alex Wennberg (C) Prob Thurs Personal - 26 / 03 / 24 16-11 15-12 + - Wennberg missed the previous match with a personal matter, but it is predicted that he will face the Avalanche on Thursday.
Erik Gustafsson (D) Ques Wed Upper Body - 25 / 03 / 24 16-11 15-12 + - Gustafsson has been absent from the last four contests with an upper-body injury, and his status for Wednesday's battle against the Devils is unclear.
Ryan Lindgren (D) Prob Thurs Lower Body - 17 / 03 / 24 19-12 19-12 + - Lindgren has been shut down with a lower-body injury, but he is expected to return to the ice Thursday versus the Avalanche.
Matt Rempe (C) Elig Tues Suspension - 12 / 03 / 24 21-13 20-14 + - Rempe has received a four-game suspension for elbowing, and he will be eligible to return Tuesday against the Jets.
Adam Fox (D) Ques Mon Illness - 11 / 03 / 24 22-13 20-15 + - Fox is nursing an illness, and it is unknown if he will face the Devils on Monday.
Jacob Trouba (D) Prob Sat Lower Body - 07 / 03 / 24 22-14 21-15 + - Trouba has been idle due to a lower-body injury, but he is projected to return against the Coyotes on Saturday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Tony DeAngelo (D) Prob Sun Wrist - 01 / 05 / 24 2-4 4-2 + - DeAngelo is bothered by a wrist ailment, but it is likely that he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Rangers.
Brett Pesce (D) Out indefinitely Lower Body - 22 / 04 / 24 4-6 5-5 + - Pesce is out of action due to a lower-body issue, and he will miss an extended period.
Jesper Fast (RW) out of season Neck - 17 / 04 / 24 4-7 6-5 + - Fast is expected to miss the remainder of the season due to a neck strain.
Frederik Andersen (G) Out Tues Rest - 16 / 04 / 24 5-7 6-5-1 + - Andersen is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's clash with the Blue Jackets as he will be given a day of rest.
Seth Jarvis (C) Out Tues Rest - 16 / 04 / 24 5-7 6-5-1 + - Jarvis will not be available for Tuesday's contest versus the Blue Jackets as he will be given a day of rest.
Brett Pesce (D) Out Tues Rest - 16 / 04 / 24 5-7 6-5-1 + - Pesce will not participate in Tuesday's tilt with the Blue Jackets as he will be given a day of rest.
Jaccob Slavin (D) Out Tues Rest - 16 / 04 / 24 5-7 6-5-1 + - Slavin is absent from the starting lineup for Tuesday's showdown against the Blue Jackets as he will be given a day of rest.
Jordan Staal (C) Out Tues Rest - 16 / 04 / 24 5-7 6-5-1 + - Staal will receive a day of rest and will not lace up against the Blue Jackets on Tuesday.
Andrei Svechnikov (RW) Out Tues Rest - 16 / 04 / 24 5-7 6-5-1 + - Svechnikov will not battle the Blue Jackets on Tuesday as he will receive a day of rest.
Jake Guentzel (LW) Out Tues Rest - 16 / 04 / 24 5-7 6-5-1 + - Guentzel will not be active for Tuesday's game versus the Blue Jackets as he will be given a day of rest.