The Carolina Hurricanes'and New York Rangers'meet in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference 2nd-round series Sunday. Puck drop from Madison Square Garden is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Hurricanes vs. Rangers odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Hurricanes made quick work of the ‘other’ New York team in the 1st round, ousting the Islanders in 5 games. Carolina split the 2 games on Long Island, winning 3-2 in Game 3 as moderate favorites (-175) as the Under (5.5) cashed, while losing 3-2 in double-overtime in Game 4 as moderate faves (-180), also as the total went low.
Speaking of quick work, the Rangers broke out the brooms against the overmatched Washington Capitals, winning in 4 games. At home, New York won Game 1 by a 4-1 score as heavy favorites (-270) as the Under (5.5) cashed, while easing by the Caps in Game 2, 4-3, cashing narrowly as a heavy favorite (-280) as the Over (5.5) connected.
The Rangers won the regular-season series 2-1 against the Hurricanes, with the teams splitting 2 games at Madison Square Garden. New York won 2-1 on Nov. 2 as the Under (5.5) hit, while Carolina routed the Blueshirts 6-1 on Jan. 2 as slight underdogs (+110) as the Over (6) cashed.