The New York Rangers and the Carolina Hurricanes will battle in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference second-round series. It's time to continue our NHL odds series with a Rangers-Hurricanes prediction and pick.

 

The Rangers defeated the Hurricanes 5-2 to force a Game 7. They got things started early when Tyler Motte slung a 35-foot shot that somehow went through goalie Antti Raanta and into the net. The Rangers got another goal when Mika Zibanejad fired a wrist shot on the power-play to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead. 

New York never looked back as they maintained the dominance throughout the game. Filip Chytil led them with two goals. Also, Igor Shesterkin made 37 saves in net. The Rangers and the Hurricanes will meet in a decisive Game 7 to see who faces the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Rangers-Hurricanes odds:

NHL odds: Rangers-Hurricanes Odds

Rangers: +1.5 (-220) Rangers ML (+122)

Hurricanes: -1.5 (-115) Hurricanes ML (-146)

Over: 5.5 (-105) 

Under: 5.5 (-115)

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Why The Rangers Could Cover The Spread

The Rangers have played inspiring hockey at home in this series, where they have gone 3-0. It has not been the same story on the road, where they have gone 0-3. Additionally, the Rangers are 6-1 at home throughout these playoffs and just 1-5 on the road. The Rangers will face a team that has dominated them in this building. Can they overcome it?

The first answer to that question resides with Shesterkin. He was spectacular in Game 6, stopping 37 of 39 shots. Shesterkin made 31 saves of 34 shots when he played Game 5 here on Thursday. However, the Rangers have not given him good goal support on the road. The Rangers have scored two goals in three road games, compared to 12 goals in three home games. The disparity is alarming, as they have scored with no issue at home yet struggle to find the back of the net on the road. It is where they need their best players to perform. Artemi Panarin has been average in this series, notching one goal and two assists through six games. Additionally, Chris Kreider has also struggled, producing one goal and one assist through six games. 

The Rangers need these two to be at their best as they face down an intimidating Game 7 on the road. Also, they need solid secondary scoring that has kept this series alive. Andrew Copp, Ryan Strome, and Alexis Lafreniere need to produce and relieve some of the pressure off Panarin and Kreider. The defense needs to defend in front of Shesterkin and give themselves the best chance to win. Most importantly, the Rangers cannot fall behind early. 

The Rangers will cover the spread if they get another good performance out of Shesterkin. Additionally, New York needs Panarin and Kreider to produce at the elite level the Rangers expect. The Rangers will advance if they collapse on the Hurricanes' scorers and take the early lead. 

Why The Hurricanes Could Cover The Spread

The Hurricanes have yet to lose at home in these playoffs. Alternatively. they also have not won on the road. It could be a dangerous tactic for them to continue. The Hurricanes have to play better in front of their goalie and need Raanta to perform better. Some of the goals he allowed were inexcusable, and continuing this play will not help them advance. 

The Hurricanes dominated the shot totals, outshooting the Rangers 39 to 25. In addition to that, they won 61 percent of the faceoffs and continue to dominate this category without issue. They failed to score on the power-play and allowed the Rangers to go 2 for 5 on the extra-man attack. The Hurricanes played sloppy defense and could not stop the Rangers' attack. Now, Carolina hopes playing at home will once again help. 

Sebastian Aho has produced four goals and six assists through 13 playoff games. Also, Teuvo Teravainen has been great, with four goals and seven assists. Vincent Trocheck is their playoff goal scorer, as he leads the tally with five. Tony DeAngelo has one goal and eight assists but has struggled against his former team with one assist in this series. Now, the Hurricanes hope all these factors can help them advance. 

The Hurricanes will cover the spread if Raanta performs significantly better than in Game 6. Additionally, if the Hurricanes keep controlling possession and win face-offs, it will set them up for success. 

Rangers-Hurricanes Prediction & Pick

The Hurricanes are almost unbeatable at home. However, good things do not last forever, and the Rangers are itching to be the team that hands the Hurricanes their first loss at home. It would be the worst time for it to happen, too. Expect the Rangers to come out strong and shock the Hurricanes, advancing to the Eastern Conference Final. 

Final Rangers-Hurricanes Prediction & Pick: Rangers ML (+122)