In a game between two squads that have put themselves squarely in the playoff hunt, the New York Rangers and the Carolina Hurricanes clash at PNC Arena. The action will get going at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, February 21, and fans at home are able to witness this divisional matchup live on MSG2.
New York Rangers vs. Carolina Hurricanes Odds
Carolina (-170) is currently favored over New York (+150), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 7 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -125 under, +105 over.
The Hurricanes are 34-25 straight up (SU) and have recorded 1.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Out of its 59 regular season contests, 31 of them have gone under the total, while 28 have gone over and none have pushed. The team is 19-11 SU at home this year.
Carolina has converted on 21.5 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated eighth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.8 percent of all penalties.
Carolina, as a collective unit, has been called for penalties 3.9 times per game overall this season, 3.6 per game over its past five matchups total, and 4.4 per game over its last five at home. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays for just 8.7 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 24.8 saves per game with a .905 save percentage, Petr Mrazek (20-17-2) has been the top goalkeeper for the Hurricanes this year. If the Canes decide to give him a rest, however, the team might turn to James Reimer (14-10-10 record, .914 save percentage, 2.67 goals against average).
The Canes will continue to lean on the offensive production from Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen. Aho (57 points) has put up 34 goals and 23 assists and has recorded two or more points on 14 separate occasions this year. Teravainen has 12 goals and 44 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 39 contests.
New York has earned moneyline bettors 10.1 units this season and is currently 31-28 straight up (SU). A total of 30 of its matches have gone under the total, while 27 have gone over and just two have pushed. New York’s 15-13 SU as the away team this season.
New York has converted on 23.3 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that places it in the top-five among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 18th overall and it’s successfully defended 79.8 percent of all opponent power plays.
New York’s skaters have been called for penalties 4.3 times per game this season, and 3.2 per game over their last ten outings. The team has had to kill penalties just 6.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Henrik Lundqvist (.907 save percentage and 3.12 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for New York. Lundqvist is averaging 27.6 saves per game and owns an 11-17-3 record.
For the visiting Rangers, the offense will be heavily coordinated by Artemi Panarin, who has 49 assists and 30 goals this year.
New York Rangers at Carolina Hurricanes Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Rangers, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Carolina is 5-0 in games decided by a shootout this season while New York is 1-2 in shootouts.
- For both of these teams, the total has gone over in three of their past five matchups.
- Over New York’s last ten games, seven of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 5-2 in those games).
- New York skaters notched 26.0 hits per game last season, while the Canes forced 26.7 hits per contest.
