Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head and other factors that may play in. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today’s featured game is the only game of the day, the New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes.
NHL Predictions with New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes
New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes
Series: Rangers 3-3 Hurricanes
There is only one prediction coming through today, and it is Game Seven for the New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes series. This series has, unsurprisingly, resulted in quite a few defensive battles. And as these two organizations did throughout the regular season, every game has been tight, even if the scoreline doesn’t reflect that.
There has been plenty of great performances throughout this series, but there are a few that stand above the rest. For the Rangers, the usual suspect in Igor Shesterkin has done his utmost to win New York another series. Despite his 7-5-0 record in the playoffs to this point, he is rocking a .926 save percentage. As for their skaters, they are going to have to get big production from Artemi Panarin, Adam Fox, and Mika Zibanejad if they are to break through what is a very staunch Carolina defence.
Dominance at Home
For the Hurricanes, they are going to need to stay the course that they have set at home during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They have yet to allow more than two goals in a home playoff game this season, getting one shutout along the way. If Sebastian Aho and Vincent Trocheck can continue their respective point streaks, and the Hurricanes’ defence can give Antti Raanta shot support as they have before, this is going to be a tough game for the Rangers.
While the Rangers have performed admirably throughout the playoffs in coming back from 3-1 down in the first round to taking this to a Game 7, it is hard to see them breaking the defensive trend that Carolina has set at home. It is because of that that the needle tilts in favour of Carolina.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 3-2
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