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The Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers are set for Game 7 of their second-round NHL Playoffs series. With the matchup set to return to North Carolina, the Hurricanes will look to defend their undefeated record at home during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Meanwhile, the Rangers will lean on Igor Shesterkin as they look to deny the Canes passage to the Eastern Conference Finals and a date against the reigning back-to-back champs in the Tampa Bay Lightning.
This series has gone back and forth, with the home team winning every single matchup. The Canes haven't won a single game on the road during the playoffs, but have defended their home ice at PNC Arena to perfection. With the series hanging in the balance now, they'll be thrilled to be back at home for the pivotal Game 7. But just because they haven't lost at home yet during these playoffs doesn't mean the Rangers can't pull off a huge win on Monday.
With all that in mind, here are four bold predictions for the Rangers-Hurricanes Game 7 in the second round of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.
4 bold predictions for Rangers-Hurricanes Game 7
4. Antti Raanta struggles again as Rangers pounce early
Despite his heroics throughout the postseason, Antti Raanta was not good enough in Game 6, getting pulled in the second period after surrendering a trio of early goals. Raanta was one of the Canes' heroes throughout the early postseason run, but he may be getting overworked. The veteran has been a backup throughout his career, and is now seeing more game time than ever before. He featured in just 26 games during the regular season, compared to the 12 games he's played in over the past 26 days. Fatigue may be catching up to the 33-year-old goaltender, who was noticeably less sharp in Game 6 than he had been previously in the playoffs, and that could be a very worrying sign for the Canes as they look to defend their pristine home record.
3. Rangers' Kid Line gets on the board again
The Rangers' depth has been a key factor in their playoff run, and the play of the “Kid Line” has been crucial in this series against the Canes. After Filip Chytil netted two goals in Game 6, the Kid Line will be hungry for more in Game 7, and Gerrard Gallant should have no reservations about deploying the youthful lineup whenever possible. Alexis LaFreniere, Kaapo Kakko, and Chytil, all of whom are 22 years old or younger, have made tremendous impacts on the series, and have proven that their inexperience isn't an issue, even when deployed together. Another big game could be awaiting the trio, who will look to get past Raanta with a goal, or maybe even two.
2. Mika Zibanejad continues his goalscoring streak
One of the reasons the Rangers are still alive in this postseason is the prolific play of Mika Zibanejad. The Rangers' forward has been sensational, scoring in four consecutive games against the league's most elite defensive unit. No matter who the Canes send out to match him, Zibanejad has found a way to put the goal past Raanta and get the Rangers on the board. We're expecting much of the same in Game 7, as in the elimination game, you can guarantee Gerrard Gallant will be urging Zibanejad to fire on net at will, especially with Raanta looking more vulnerable than ever. Zibanejad will look to see his impressive goalscoring streak reach five games, but more importantly, he'll look to lift the Rangers to a Game 7 win in Carolina.
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1. Igor Shesterkin dominates and Rangers punch Conference Finals ticket
Igor Shesterkin will be the Rangers' X-factor on Monday night. The goaltender, who is the clear-cut favorite to win the Vezina Trophy, and could even take home the Hart, has bounced back after some early struggles in the playoffs. He's been exceptional against the Canes, and will look to keep Carolina off the board as long as possible in Game 7. Shesterkin is the best goaltender in the world, and quite frankly, it's not close. With the stage at its highest, we're backing him to prove that defiantly on Monday, letting up fewer than two goals on the road and giving the Rangers every advantage they need to book their ticket to the next round. If Shesterkin plays at his usual level, it'll be up to New York's offense to deliver their end of the bargain.
