Hurricanes vs. Rangers NHL Picks: Top Metro Teams Meet at Madison Square Garden
The New York Rangers host the Carolina Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden with the top spot in the Metropolitan Division up for grabs on Tuesday. Read on for our Hurricanes-Rangers picks.
The Hurricanes (52-20-8) sit atop the Metropolitan Division with 112 points over 80 games. They've won four straight and six of their last eight contests, including a 4-2 victory at Madison Square Garden.
Meanwhile, the Rangers (51-22-6) have notched 108 points over 79 games, and they sit just behind Carolina in the Metro. New York needs to win its last three games while getting some help from Carolina’s opponents to take the Metropolitan Division crown.
Here are my Hurricanes-Rangers picks and predictions for Tuesday’s NHL matchup (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook; Pick confidence is based on a 1-to-5 star scale).
Hurricanes vs. Rangers Game Info
Date/Time: Tuesday, April 26, 7 p.m. ETTV: MSG, BSSOLocation: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Hurricanes vs. Rangers Odds Analysis
It's a rare game when the Hurricanes are underdogs, if only slightly at +100 (DraftKings) after opening at -114. The Rangers opened at -106, but they're now up to between -110 (FanDuel Sportsbook) and -125 (DraftKings).
The total is set at 5.5, with the Over slightly favored. You can get the Over on that total at -115 through Unibet, while DraftKings is offering the Under at +100.
Hurricanes vs. Rangers Picks
Hurricanes (+100) ???Under 5.5 (+100) ???Jaccob Slavin Over 1.5 shots (-160) ????
SEE ALSO: Stanley Cup Playoff Odds and Picks
Hurricanes vs. Rangers Predictions
Hurricanes (+100)
Take the Hurricanes as underdogs every chance you get, and especially here against a team they just beat a few weeks ago.
However, this matchup won't be easy. Carolina is down to third-string goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov. The 22-year-old is 2-0-0 during his young career, and he's been showing promise in the AHL (13-1-1, .921 SV%, 2.09 GAA).
Meanwhile, the Rangers had won seven of eight games prior to a 3-1 loss in Boston on Saturday. New York won 2-0 in Carolina back in March, but the Hurricanes outshot the Rangers 44-18.
Carolina has been the better team in 2021-22, and the club is worth the play at +100 or higher.
Under 5.5 (+100)
These are two of the league's best defensive teams. Carolina allows just 2.43 goals per game, with New York not far behind at 2.46. The last Rangers-Hurricanes game featured six goals, but the final marker was an empty-netter. The previous meeting ended with only two goals.
The Under has been the trendy bet for Rangers games this season, especially at Madison Square Garden. That play is 20-8-1 over the Rangers' last 29 games as a home favorite, and 4-1 in their previous five overall.
The playoff-like atmosphere in a game between two top teams will also factor in on Tuesday, leading to a low-scoring affair.
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Slavin Over 1.5 shots (-160)
Slavin has been consistently shooting from the blue line for the Hurricanes.
He's logged 165 shots over 78 games, with two-plus shots in 49 outings, including 11 of his last 13. Going on the road hasn't been an issue for him either, with two-plus shots on goal in 22 of his last 29 away games, and 93 across 40 road contests.
Slavin averages over two shots per matchup, and he’ll reach that mark again in New York.
Where to Bet on Hurricanes-Rangers Picks
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Hurricanes-Rangers picks made on 4/26/2022 at 4:56 a.m. ET.
