NHL Game 5 Preview: Rangers vs Hurricanes Betting Odds
Home Teams Stay Unbeaten in Hurricanes Games
On to Game 5 and the Carolina Hurricanes find themselves in a similar scenario as the last round – all tied up with the New York Rangers thanks to still being winless on the road (0-5). The Rangers vs Hurricanes betting odds back Carolina as the favorites while New York looks to win on the road for the first time in this series. But thus far, the PNC Arena has proven to be an unbreachable fortress.
Rangers vs Hurricanes Game 5 Info
- Game: New York Rangers (52-24-6) vs Carolina Hurricanes (54-20-8)
- Location: PNC Arena+
- Day/Time: Thursday, 7:00 p.m. ET
- Television: ESPN
Rangers Must Break Through the PNC Arena
The Rangers will need to win at least one game as a visitor if they hope to get past the Hurricanes. The team has won just one New York Rangers game on the road in these playoffs, although it was one that mattered; Game 6 against the Penguins. The Rangers were facing elimination then and they could soon face it again if they lose to Carolina.
All eyes will be on Igor Shesterkin, New York’s leading goaltender and their best player. Shesterkin was chased away in both games in Pittsburgh but has put up solid performances on the road since, allowing just 2.3 goals per game while neutralizing all five power-plays (PP) he and the Rangers have faced. These current Rangers vs Hurricanes betting odds are interesting indeed.
The issue may be on the other end of the ice. New York has averaged just a pair of goals on the road in this span. Shesterkin isn’t scoring goals for the Rangers. The onus is on the Blueshirts’ top guns mainly Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Chris Kreider.
None have scored in Carolina with both Panarin and Zibanejad at -3. They don’t need to dominate but getting on the scoreboard will help a lot. Follow all of the betting trends right here with the latest Rangers vs Hurricanes Betting Odds
Carolina Aims to Stay Indomitable at Home
When it comes to home-ice advantage, no team has it better than the Hurricanes in these playoffs. Not only is Carolina undefeated at home, but the team is outscoring opponents by 2.5 goals per game. This is with the team getting outshot on average and firing at just 16.7 percent on the extra-man advantage.
Carolina’s defense has been near-impregnable at the PNC Arena. Antti Raanta has allowed just five goals at home for the entirety of the postseason. In comparison, he’s allowed six in his last two road games alone. The Hurricanes also have a 94.1 percent penalty kill (PK).
The key to Carolina’s success is its focus. This is a team that makes fewer mistakes at home and is able to systematically beat opponents. On the road, the Hurricanes are prone to taking bad penalties or making poor reads. As long as the Canes can maintain its razor-sharp efficiency at home, their odds for the NHL should stay short.
Scoring Woes Continue
The Carolina Hurricanes have generated 138 scoring chances and 123 shots against the New York Rangers. What do they have to show for it? Six whopping goals. Igor Shesterkin has been stonewalling the Hurricanes but part of it is Carolina’s struggle to convert on their chances. Carolina is shooting just 4.9 percent and six percent on scoring chances.
On the other end, Antti Raanta and the Hurricanes’ defense have also limited the Rangers for the most part. Scoring has cost a premium in this series, which is why all four games have gone under the total of 5 1/2. The total goals from Game 4 backward have been five, four, two, and three. Game 4 was the first time that any one team scored more than three goals.
Rangers vs Hurricanes Betting Trends
Going back to their first meeting this season, the total has gone under in six of the eight games played between the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers.
Carolina has won seven of its last nine games against opponents from the Metropolitan Division. On the flip side, the Rangers are just 9-8-1 against the Metro this season.
Prior to the playoffs, Igor Shesterkin did not fare too well against Carolina. In his two regular-season games against them, he allowed seven goals on 60 shots for an 88.3 save percentage. All goals came on even strength.
Sebastian Aho leads Carolina in this series with four points. The Rangers have three players tied for the lead with three points each – Adam Fox, Andrew Copp, and Mika Zibanejad.
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