In our NHL predictions for Wednesday, May 18, we’re breaking down the opening clash of the 2022 Stanley Cup Eastern Conference semifinal series between New York and Carolina to get you the best Rangers vs Hurricanes betting pick and odds. Both teams had to play seven games in the first round, and the Hurricanes are listed as firm favorites to win Game 1 in front of the home fans.
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Rangers vs Hurricanes Betting Pick
This game will be played at PNC Arena at 7:00 PM ET on Wednesday, May 18, 2022.
Why Bet The Hurricanes:
✅ The Canes are without their first-choice goaltender, as Frederik Andersen is recovering from a lower-body injury. Antti Raanta stepped up in Andersen’s absence and posted a 2.37 GAA and .927 save percentage through six appearances in the first-round series against Boston. The 33-year-old netminder turned aside 27 of 29 shots in Game 7 versus the Bruins. He was 15-5-4 with a 2.45 GAA and .912 SV% last regular season.
✅ The Hurricanes and Rangers met each other four times in the regular season, and Carolina won the series 3-1. The Canes beat the Rangers twice in April, 4-2 as -120 road favorites and 4-3 as +105 road underdogs. Carolina has dropped only one of its previous seven contests against New York.
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✅ The Canes barely outlasted the Boston Bruins in the previous round thanks to their home-ice advantage. Carolina has won all four home games against the Bruins, outscoring its opponents 18-6 in the process. The Hurricanes have gone 22-7 over their last 29 showings at PNC Arena and are undefeated in six straight home contests.
New York Rangers
The Rangers erased a 3-1 deficit in the seven-game first-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Over their last three showings, the Rangers outscored the Pens 14-9, winning Game 7 in overtime thanks to Artemi Panarin’s power-play goal.
Panarin has three goals and four assists on his postseason tally, while Mika Zibanejad has accounted for three goals and eight dishes. Igor Shesterkin has started all seven games, posting an underwhelming 3.66 GAA and .910 save percentage. The 26-year-old goalie had 39 stops in Game 7. He went 36-13-4 with a strong 2.07 GAA and .935 SV% last regular season.
Carolina Hurricanes
Max Domi scored a couple of goals, while Teuvo Teravainen found the back of the net once last Saturday, as the Cans outlasted the Bruins 3-2 in Game 7 at PNC Arena. Carolina outshot Boston 31-29 but went 0-for-3 with the man advantage.
Defensemen Tony DeAngelo and Jaccob Slavin lead the way for the Hurricanes with eight points apiece this postseason. Centers Vincent Trocheck and Sebastian Aho combined for five goals and seven assists, while Teravainen added five assists and a pair of goals.