Carolina Hurricanes at New York Rangers

By Sam Batz

The New York Rangers host division rivals the Carolina Hurricanes in Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, March 21st (7:00 PM EST, NHLPP/ESPN+) for the first of a back-to-back. The second matchup will take place on Thursday, March 23rd in Carolina and will be the fourth and final regular season meeting between the Rangers and Hurricanes. Currently, the series stands at 2-0-0 in favor of the Rangers, who have yet to be defeated by the division leaders. New York is averaging 5.5 goals per game against the Hurricanes, while Carolina has lost by an average margin of 3 goals, putting up just 2.5 goals per game against the Rangers. Opening NHL odds were split, with both the Canes and Rangers priced at -110 (moneyline), meaning this game may just be too close to call. 

Carolina Hurricanes Odds To Win (-110)

The Hurricanes have torn through the NHL, leveling anyone foolish enough to stand in their wake. Carolina is 45-15-8 with 98 points through 68 games. They lead the Metropolitan Division and are 2nd in the East, 13 points behind the conference leading Boston Bruins. In their last 10 games, Carolina is 6-4-0 and enters Tuesday’s divisional matchup on the back of a 5-4 overtime victory against the Philadelphia Flyers. A fifth consecutive playoff appearance is imminent for the Hurricanes, but they enter Tuesday’s matchup with a bit of a chip on their shoulders, as Caroilna prepares to face the only team in their division whom they have yet to defeat.

New York Rangers Odds To Win (-110)

The Rangers of New York are 41-19-10 with 92 points through 70 games. They are 3rd in the Metropolitan Division (6 points behind the Hurricanes) and 5th in the Eastern Conference. The Rangers are on a roll, winning 7 out of their last 10, garnering 4 consecutive victories at home in MSG over the past 6 days. New York is averaging 5.5 goals per game over the current 4 game winning streak, and are brimming with confidence after an incredible weekend where they beat Pittsburgh 6-0 on Saturday, and then routed Nashville 7-0 on Sunday, marking back-to-back shutouts and 13 totals goals in just two games. The Rangers must defend their home arena for a 5th consecutive game on Tuesday, but face a Carolia squad that would love to see New Yorks winning streak end. 

Hurricanes vs. Rangers Odds

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Hurricanes vs. Rangers: Season Stats

Hurricanes vs. Rangers: Betting Trends

Hurricanes vs. Rangers: Bold Predictions

The Carolina Hurricanes are led by a pair of remarkable young Centers, 24-year old Martin Necas and 25-year old Sebastian Aho. Necas leads the Canes with 64 points (27 goals, 37 assists) followed by Aho with 58 points (30 goals, 28 assists). With a combined 57 goals, Necas and Aho account for approximately 25% of Carolina’s scores. However, against the Rangers this season, Necas and Aho have combined for just 1 goal and 1 assists (both from Necas). The Rangers appear to know something most other teams don’t by keeping Carolina’s top-offensive threats bottled up, which is why I’m predicting that neither Martin Necas nor Sebastian Aho will record a point against New York on Tuesday. 

The New York Rangers are on a scoring tear, racking up 22 goals in their last 4 games, while allowing just 5 goals against. Head coach Gerard Gallant would say it’s been a team effort, and he would be right, but Left Wing Artemi Panarin has stood out above all others. Leading the team with 80 points (23 goals, 57 assists), Panarin averaged 1.30 points per game (4 goals, 9 assists) in his last 10 matchups. But what really makes Panarin standout as a player to watch on Tuesday is because of what he did to the Hurricane’s in their last matchup. Panarin recorded 4 goals, 1 assists, and 5 points in the last outing against Carolina, and I predict he will once again have a huge game against the Hurricanes on Tuesday

Hurricanes vs. Rangers Game Prediction

Take the New York Rangers (-110) moneyline. I think the Rangers will beat the Hurricane’s for the third straight time on Tuesday, and extend their winning streak to 5 consecutive games. It will be a hard fought contest, but with the way New York is playing, Carolina will struggle to keep the Rangers away from their net. The Hurricane’s allow the 2nd-fewest goals per game (2.57) but against the Rangers, have given up 11 goals in two games this season. Like any good team, the Canes know how to win at home and on the road, but the Rangers are undefeated in their last 4 home games, and will be tough to beat in their current form. 

Prediction: New York Rangers Moneyline (-110) and the Over (6); Final Score: 4-3

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