NY Rangers (3-3) at Carolina (3-3)
When: Monday, May 30th 2022
Where: PNC Arena,
Raleigh, NC
Time: 8:00 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Carolina -150/5.5
For the second time this postseason, the Carolina Hurricanes have failed to close out a Game 6 to advance to the next round. On Saturday night, the ‘Canes had a chance to move on to the Eastern Conference finals by beating the New York Rangers, but goalie Antti Raanta was not on his game and Carolina fell 5-2 to set up a Game 7 on Monday night. The good news is that the game will be in Raleigh, where the Hurricanes are a perfect 7-0, compared to 0-6 on the road. Raanta was pulled after allowing three goals on just 13 shots in Game 6, as New York built a 3-0 lead. He has made 12 starts this postseason after making just 26 during the regular season in backing up regular starter Frederik Andersen, who has not appeared in the playoffs because of a lower-body injury.
The Rangers were in a similar situation in the first round with the Pittsburgh Penguins, forcing a Game 7 after avoiding elimination in Game 6. In fact, the Rangers were down 3-1 in the series before shocking the Penguins with three straight wins to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals. That win in Pittsburgh in Game 6 was New York’s only road victory this postseason. During the regular season, the Rangers were a solid 25-14-2 away from home. Goalie Igor Shesterkin was fantastic in the first period on Saturday, making several difficult saves to keep Carolina off the board. The Hurricanes are -150 favorites in this one with a total set at 5.5. The Under is 5-1 this series.
Shesterkin stopped 37 of 39 shots and became just the fifth goalie in NHL history to have two assists in a playoff game. He has now allowed two goals or fewer in five of the six games this series. Filip Chytil scored twice, while Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad and Tyler Motte also tallied for New York. The Rangers were outshot in all three periods and 39-25 for the game, although they made the most of their opportunities. New York has now won six straight home games since their triple overtime loss in Game 1 against the Penguins however, they have been outscored 7-2 in the three road games this series.
Brady Skjei’s first goal of the postseason and Vincent Trocheck’s fifth was the only offense Carolina could get against Shesterkin. The Hurricanes are now the first team in NHL history to lose their first six road games in a single postseason. Pyotr Kochetkov relieved Raanta in the second period and allowed two goals on 12 shots. Regular starter Andersen, who hasn’t played since April 16, has been a limited participant at practice. Raanta is a big reason for Carolina’s success at home during the playoffs, going 6-0 with a 0.97 goals-against average and .965 save percentage. The Hurricanes are 4-0 in their last 4 games after a loss of at least 3 goals.
Once again, I’m sticking with the home trend in this Game 7. It’s not just that Carolina has won all home games and lost all road games, it’s the fact they have looked like a completely different team at PNC Arena. This should be a good one and I’ll take the ‘Canes.
Pick: Hurricanes -150
