The Carolina Hurricanes (7-4-0) and New York Rangers (6-5-2) meet Tuesday. Puck drop from Madison Square Garden in New York, is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (TNT / HBO Max / truTV). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Hurricanes vs. Rangers odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
2024-25 season series: Hurricanes won 4-0
The Hurricanes swept the regular-season series in 2024-25, outscoring the Rangers 18-7, cashing in each of the games as a favorite. The Over-Under split 2-2, with the Under hitting in both meetings at MSG. Carolina has won 3 straight trips to New York, outscoring the Rangers 11-2 in the span, while the Under has cashed in each of the past 3 meetings, including Game 5 of a playoff series on May 13, 2024.
Carolina suffered a 2-1 loss Saturday at the Boston Bruins as a heavy favorite (-190) as the Under (6.5) cashed. Frederik Andersen made 20 saves on 22 shots, while D Alexander Nikishin netted the only goal. Carolina has dropped 3 of the past 4 games, while the Over has a 3-2 edge in the past 5 outings.
New York finished off a 4-game Western Conference road trip in style, posting a 3-2 OT win Saturday at the Seattle Kracken, a season-high third straight victory. LW Will Cuylle netted the winner in overtime, making a winner of G Igor Shesterkin, who turned aside 11 of 13 shots in a win. The Under has cashed in 2 of the past 3 outings, too.
Hurricanes at Rangers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:06 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Hurricanes -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Rangers +105 (bet $100 to win $105)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Hurricanes -1.5 (+185) | Rangers +1.5 (-225)Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)Hurricanes at Rangers projected goalies
Pyotr Kochetkov (27-16-3, 2.60 GAA, .898 SV%, 2 SO in 2024-25) vs. Igor Shesterkin (4-4-2, 2.28 GAA, .913 SV%, 1 SO)
Kochetkov (lower body) makes his first appearance of the season after being recalled from the Chicago Wolves of the AHL for a conditioning assignment. He stopped 22 of 23 shots in a 4-1 win over the Toronto Marlies in a rehab game.
Shesterkin allowed 2 goals on 13 shots in a 3-2 OTW against the Kraken, and he has won back-to-back starts with just 5 goals on 49 shots, both overtime victories. He allowed 6 goals on 24 shots in a 6-5 OTL against the San Jose Sharks in the most recent appearance at MSG.
Hurricanes at Rangers picks and predictionsPrediction
Hurricanes 3, Rangers 2
The HURRICANES (-125) are a strong play as a moderate favorite on the road. Carolina has won the past 3 trips to Madison Square Garden, while winning 6 of the past 7 meetings overall in the series.
Be careful, though, as Carolina is expected to turn to Kochetkov, and there could be rust. But, until the Rangers show they can beat the Hurricanes regularly, you have to back the better team.
The Rangers +1.5 (-225) will cost you more than 2 times your potential return, and that’s a little too expensive for some insurance. If you like New York, just bet it straight up.
The Hurricanes have been involved in 4 one-score goals in the past 7 games. The Rangers have played 3 one-goal games in the past 5 outings, too.
PASS.
UNDER 5.5 (+100) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most.
The concern here is Kochetkov making his first start of the season on the road in a tough environment. But, Carolina’s defense is sound, and it has dominated New York in recent seasons. Go low, but don’t get carried away.
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