PNC Arena is playing host to an enticing showdown as the Carolina Hurricanes face off against the visiting New York Rangers. It’s the fourth and last time that the two clubs will go at it in the regular season. MSG Network will showcase this divisional matchup, and the action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 19.
New York Rangers vs. Carolina Hurricanes Odds
Carolina (-210) is the solid favorite over New York (+175) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals (-120 over, +100 under).
The Hurricanes are 31-28 straight up (SU) and have not been kind to moneyline bettors (returning -7.2 units) thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a welcomed improvement compared to how the team performed during the 2017-18 season (36-46). Of its 59 regular season matches, 35 have gone under the total, while 23 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team is 16-13 SU at home this year.
Carolina’s converted on just 17.1 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s ranked 23rd overall in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 14th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.9 percent of all penalties.
Carolina, as a collective unit, has been called for penalties 3.6 times per game overall this season, and 3.0 per game over its last five home outings. The team has been forced to stave off opposition power plays for just 6.7 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
Averaging 23.9 saves per game with a .902 save percentage, Petr Mrazek (13 wins, 15 losses, and three OT losses) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Hurricanes this year. If they, however, decide to give him a breather, the team might go with Curtis McElhinney (15-7-7 record, .920 save percentage, 2.36 goals against average).
Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen will both lead the offensive attack for the Hurricanes. Aho (67 points) has put up 24 goals and 43 assists and has recorded multiple points 17 times this year. Teravainen has 17 goals and 35 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 31 games.
New York has lost 0.6 units for moneyline bettors this year and is currently 25-33 straight up (SU). 31 of its games have gone over the total, while 26 have gone under the total and just one has pushed. New York’s 10-18 SU as the visiting team this season.
New York has scored on 21.7 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 27th overall and it’s successfully defended 77.4 percent of all opponent power plays.
New York’s players have been penalized 4.0 times per game this season, and 3.2 per game over their last ten games. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 7.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Henrik Lundqvist (.907 save percentage and 3.02 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for New York. Lundqvist is averaging 28.9 saves per game and owns a 16-24-8 record.
Leading the offensive push for the visiting Rangers will be Mika Zibanejad, who has 26 goals and 32 assists this year.
New York Rangers at Carolina Hurricanes Free Picks
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Hurricanes, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The under has hit in each of Carolina’s last five games.
- The Hurricanes have averaged the league’s second-most shots on goal (35.2) while the Rangers have attempted the 28th-most (only 35.2).
- The Hurricanes are 14-9 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Rangers are 15-14 SU in games where they spend more time in the box than their opponent.
- Carolina is 1-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while New York is 6-2 in shootouts.
- Carolina has forced 11.0 takeaways per game over its last five home games, a slight drop from its season average of 10.6 takeaways per game (ranked 1st overall).
- New York skaters have created 7.8 takeaways per game over its last five road games, its season average of 8.2 takeaways per game (ranked 11th in the NHL).
