The Carolina Hurricanes return to PNC Arena for Thursday's Game 3 against the New York Rangers, as we offer our Rangers-Hurricanes predictions and expert picks based on the best NHL odds.
Playoff hockey can feel like enduring a marathon of The Real Housewives, and the Carolina Hurricanes (52-23-7) can certainly attest to that. Even after they fired off 57 shots on goal in Game 2, they were rewarded with a crushing 4-3 loss in double overtime to the New York Rangers (55-23-4), who now hold a 2-0 lead in this second-round series.
The Hurricanes hope that a return to PNC Arena can help shift the momentum in their favor. Our best sports betting sites favor them to bounce back when the puck drops for Game 3 at 7 p.m. ET (TNT) in Raleigh, N.C.
However, it won't be a walk in the park against the Rangers, who are on fire with six consecutive playoff wins. According t o our Stanley Cup odds, the Blueshirts are the frontrunners to clinch Lord Stanley's cup.
To accompany our Avalanche vs. Stars predictions and our Panthers vs. Bruins predictions, here are our best Rangers vs. Hurricanes predictions and NHL picks (odds via our best NHL betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Rangers vs. Hurricanes Game 3 expert picks
- Hurricanes ML + Under 6.5 goals (+140 via Betway) ???
- Jake Guentzel anytime goal (+162 via Betway) ???
- Mika Zibanejad Over 0.5 assists(-115 via Betway) ????
- Sebastian Aho Over 0.5 assists (+105 via Betway) ????
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Rangers vs . Hurricanes predictions for Thursday
The thought here is that the Hurricanes are too good to lose three straight to their arch-nemesis, especially at home. Rod Brind'Amour and his team deserved better in Game 2 but were ultimately thwarted by arguably the world's best netminder. Once again, a lack of discipline was their ultimate undoing, as the Rangers scored twice with the man advantage, including the overtime winner.
The Hurricanes are comprehensive favorites across our best sports betting apps despite being down 0-2. However, at -170, picking them on the moneyline doesn't offer enough value.
For the Hurricanes to win this must-win contest, they have to keep it tight defensively, hence the addition of the Under 6.5 goals. The +140 odds imply a winning probability of 41.67%. A winning $10 bet pays a profit of $14.
Best odds: +140 via Betway
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Guentzel was acquired at the trade deadline to score goals in meaningful games. The 29-year-old has only three in the playoffs thus far but scored two against the Blueshirts in Game 2. He was also the Rangers' No. 1 target and engaged in a lot of extracurricular fisticuffs. Guentzel used the animosity as motivation, channeling and harnessing his inner Larry David.
The former Pittsburgh Penguin excels against the Rangers, particularly in the playoffs. He has 10 goals in eight postseason contests against New York.
In the 2021-22 first-round series, Guentzel scored in six of seven games against Shesterkin. Let's see if the native of Nebraska can get on another heater.
Betway's +162 offers a $16.20 profit if the bet hits. The odds come with an implied probability of 38.17%.
Best odds: +162 via Betway
I'll continue to go with Zibanejad to register at least one assist in Game 3. The playmaker has registered at least one apple in 12 straight games dating back to the regular season. The Swede left it late in Game 2, registering his recently obligatory helper on Vincent Trocheck's double-overtime winner. While he made us sweat, it pales compared to the profuse amount of perspiration he must have emitted in his over 32 minutes played.
Betway's -115 odds represent a 53.49% implied probability, and a $10 winning bet will pay a profit of $8.70.
Best odds: -115 via Betway
Aho has caught fire against the Rangers, notching five assists in the first two games. He had only one assist in the previous five games, so this prop is based on Aho catching fire against the Blueshirts. The Hurricanes will need his creativity and set-up abilities to get back into this series.
Betway offers +105 odds for Aho to register at least one helper. The plus-money odds come with an implied probability of 48.78%, and a $10 winning wager would pay a profit of $10.50.
Best odds: +105 via Betway
Hurricanes vs. Rangers Game 3 info & odds
- When: Thursday, May 9
- Puck drop: 7 p.m. ET
- Where: PNC Arena, Raleigh, N.C.
- How to watch: TNT, Sportsnet
- Favorite: Hurricanes (-170 via Betway)
Rangers-Hurricanes predictions made Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET.
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