Rangers vs. Hurricanes Game 2 NHL Picks: Can Carolina Continue Momentum?

The New York Rangers scored an early goal in Game 1 but eventually lost 2-1 in overtime to the Carolina Hurricanes. Are we in for another low-scoring game on Friday? We break down Game 2 with our top Rangers-Hurricanes picks.

The Rangers got out to a first-period lead against the Hurricanes in Game 1 with a goal just over seven minutes into the game. It looked like that goal may hold up as the game-winner, but the Hurricanes had other plans. Carolina tied it with 2:23 left in the third period and won it just 3:12 into the overtime session.

A dominant third period propelled Carolina to an overtime victory in Game 1. The Hurricanes hope to use that momentum to take a 2-0 series lead on Friday before heading to the Big Apple.

Here are my Rangers-Hurricanes picks and predictions for Friday’s NHL Game 2 matchup (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, and Unibet; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5 star scale).

Rangers vs. Hurricanes Game Info

Date/Time: Friday, May 20, 8 p.m. ETTV: ESPN, TVAS, SNE, SNO, SNPLocation: PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC

Rangers vs. Hurricanes Odds

Rangers vs. Hurricanes Odds Analysis

The Hurricanes opened as heavy -190 favorites after the Game 1 victory. However, the Rangers have received more tickets (56%) causing the line to drop. Carolina is around -175 across the board, with the best price being -172 via FanDuel. The Rangers are still up at +150 (DraftKings) after a +155 opening. Seventy-four percent of the cash is backing New York.

The total opened at 5.5 and it’s still there across the board. You can get Over 5.5 (-105) at DraftKings and Under 5.5 (-110) at Unibet. The tickets and handle are about evenly split on the total.

https://twitter.com/johnewing/status/1527302809040744451

Rangers vs. Hurricanes Picks

Hurricanes (-172 via FanDuel) ????Under 5.5 (-110 via Unibet) ???Sebastian Aho Over 0.5 points (-160 via DraftKings) ????

SEE ALSO: Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds and Picks

Rangers vs. Hurricanes Predictions

Hurricanes (-172)

All of the metrics were fairly even in Game 1, but a closer look shows a different story. 

The Rangers dominated the first period (1.74-0.50 xG; 77.74%), the second frame was about even (0.65-0.61 xG), and the Hurricanes absolutely dominated the third period (1.57-0.71 xG) as the Rangers went into a shell. Carolina had 13 scoring chances to New York’s six in the third period. That continued in the short overtime period with the Hurricanes racking up seven shot attempts to the Rangers' one with a 4-0 advantage in scoring chances. All stats via Natural Stat Trick at 5-on-5 play.

Some of that is due to score effects. However, Carolina looked sharper as the game moved along and the 'Canes finally got going in the latter portions of the game.

Game 1 looked a lot like the regular-season meetings with the Hurricanes wearing down the Rangers. It’s tough to lay -172 against Vezina Trophy finalist Igor Shesterkin, but playoff Shesterkin hasn't been the same animal.

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Under 5.5 (-110)

The trendy high-scoring games of the first round are no more. Teams are starting to lock things down in all areas of the ice, and these teams are no different. 

The Rangers rely on their goaltending to keep them in games and Shesterkin showed that in Game 1. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes have a good defensive structure in front of Antti Raanta, who is also playing well with a .933 SV% this postseason.

There may be more than the three goals that were scored in Game 1, but I see another close game with the Canes winning 3-1 or 3-2.

Aho Over 0.5 points (-160)

Hurricanes winger Sebastian Aho has a point in 60 of 87 games this season and 34 of 44 home games. He scored the goal to force overtime in Game 1 for his sixth point of the playoffs.

The Hurricanes forward gets overlooked around the league, but he was consistent this season and has points in four of five games against the Rangers. Aho should lead the way to put the 'Canes up 2-0 in the series.

Where to Bet on Rangers-Hurricanes Picks

Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:

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Rangers-Hurricanes picks made on 5/19/2022 at 11:12 p.m. ET.