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 New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs roll on.
NHL Predictions
New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes
Series Head-to-Head: Rangers 3-0 Hurricanes
TV: TNT, TruTV, Sportsnet, TVAS, CBC
Our first and featured game has the Rangers going for a sweep of the Hurricanes in Raleigh. New York has won its first seven post-season games for the first time since that fateful 1994 season. However, these games have been tight and go have gone the other way. Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad each have 12 points this post-season for the Blueshirts. Artemi Panarin has four game-winning goals this playoff for run. Igor Shesterkin has been excellent in goal with 99 saves the last two games.
Carolina is uncertain if it will go with Frederik Andersen or Pyotr Kochetkov in the crease. Always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter in net. Sebastian Aho leads the team in points with nine while Jake Guentzel, Seth Jarvis and Andrei Svechnikov each have eight points. The Hurricanes’ power play has struggled and not cashed in when they’ve gotten chances. Special teams will need to be better for Carolina if it wants to extend the series.
This series is much closer than people think. The Canes were swept by the Florida Panthers last year, but the Hurricanes avoid the sweep. There’s a lot of work to do, but don’t bury Carolina just yet.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 3-2 in overtime.
Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche
Series Head-to-Head: Stars 1-1 Avalanche
TV: TNT, TruTV, TVAS, SN1, Sportsnet, SN360
Our final game of NHL predictions has the Dallas Stars looking to get home-ice advantage back against the Colorado Avalanche. Dallas is expected to go with Jake Oettinger in goal once again for this game. The Stars rebounded after blowing a three-goal lead in Game 1. Miro Heiskanen and Wyatt Johnston each lead the team in points with eight.
Alexandar Georgiev will once again get the start for the Avalanche, who are unbeaten at home during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Colorado lost for the first time in five games in Game 2, but are equipped to get a 2-1 series lead. Cale Makar leads the team in points with 12 while Nathan MacKinnon and Miko Rantanen each have 11. Valeri Nichushkin is also in double-digits in points with 10.
Styles make fights and Dallas will want to slow things down against Colorado. The team that scores first is going to help dictate pace. However, the Avalanche can rally if they do get down. Despite this, the Stars grab the series lead.
Prediction: Stars win 3-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
We’ve got some prop bets for everyone to get a little action in for Saturday night. The margin for the Rangers and Hurricanes has been a tight one. A number of sports books are going with a 1.5 spread for this game. Take the losing team to cover this one due to the tight games that have been played.
As for the late-night game, go with Jason Robertson getting the over on +0.5 assists for the Stars. Colorado has a number of scoring threats that can pile up the points. Go with Makar getting the over on +1.5 points for the Avalanche.
Main photo by: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
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