The New York Rangers will attempt to close out the series for the third time as they face the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday for Game 6 at the PNC Arena. We're here to share our NHL odds series, make a Rangers-Hurricanes Game 6 prediction, and pick while showing you how to watch.
The Hurricanes defeated the Rangers 4-1 in Game 5 to keep themselves alive in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and take this series back to Carolina. At first, neither team scored, as the two played a scoreless first period. But the Rangers struck first in the second period when Jacob Trouba delivered with a fast skate on the penalty kill before firing it past Frederik Andersen for a goal to give the Rangers the lead. However, the Hurricanes tied it up in the third period when Jordan Staal skated past the defender and then backed it in past Igor Shesterkin to tie the game.
Evgeny Kuznetsov found a juice rebound later and fired it into the open net to give the Canes the lead. Then, Jordan Martinook ripped one past Shesterkin to make it 3-1 to solidify the game for the Hurricanes. Martin Necas finished it off with an empty net goal.
Here are the NHL Odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds: Rangers-Hurricanes Game 6 Odds
New York Rangers: +1.5 (-194)
Moneyline: +140
Carolina Hurricanes: -1.5 (+160)
Moneyline: -170
Over: 5.5 (+100)
Under: 5.5 (-122)
How to Watch Rangers vs. Hurricanes Game 6
Time: 7:05 PM ET/4:05 PM PT
TV: TNT, truTV, and MAX
Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)
Why The Rangers Will Cover The Spread/Win
The Rangers got stuck in their own zone too often in the third period, which ultimately hurt them. Because of this, they were unable to generate as many shots as they would have liked. The Rangers finished with 21 shots total. Despite winning 67 percent of their faceoffs, they just could not mount a successful offense. They also went 0 for 3 on the powerplay. Now, their stars must figure out a solution fast, or else they might be forced to play Game 7.
Mika Zibanejad has been good in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, netting three goals and 10 assists, including two powerplay markers. Additionally, he has been solid in the faceoff circle, winning 70 draws and losing 65. But he did pretty much nothing in Game 5 on the scoresheet. Despite winning 12 draws, he did not do enough in the faceoff circle to set up prime opportunities.
His tag-team partner Vincent Trocheck has five goals and seven assists in the postseason, including four powerplay snipes. Furthermore, he has won 109 draws and lost 79. But he has suddenly gone quiet over the past two games, which have coincidentally been losses. Meanwhile, Alexis Lafreniere sits at four goals and six assists after not scoring in Game 5.
Artemi Panarin has four goals and five assists, including one powerplay conversion throughout these playoffs. Yet, like some teammates, he has gone quiet over the past two games. Chris Kreider is similar, with four goals and three assists, including one tally on the powerplay. However, he, too, has done nothing over two games.
Trouba has helped the Rangers on defense with 45 blocks in the playoffs. Now, he hopes to do more to help out his goalie. Shesterkin is 7-2 with a 2.33 goals-against average and a save percentage of .924. Therefore, he hopes to lead the Rangers to the promised land and finish this thing off.
The Rangers will cover the spread if they can generate shots to give themselves more chances. Then, they must gain puck possession and avoid spending too much time in their zone.
Why The Hurricanes Will Cover The Spread/Win
The Hurricanes won the possession battle in Game 5, which is the reason they are still alive today. Despite losing the faceoffs by a significant margin, they were gritty and found a way to get the puck back. The Canes also managed 28 shots and then killed off three penalties. Now, their star players look to make an impact and force Game 7.
Sebastian Aho has three goals and seven assists in the Stanley Cup Playoffs while also winning 81 draws and losing 89. However, the Canes won without him in Game 5, as he was relatively quiet. Brady Skjei has one goal and eight assists in the postseason. Also, he contributed a helper in Game 5.
Jake Guentzel has four goals and five assists in the postseason. Yet, he did nothing in Game 5. Andrei Svechnikov has two goals and seven assists, including one powerplay tally. Ultimately, he also was quiet in Game 5. The Hurricanes basically found a way to beat the Rangers without their best players thriving. Overall, it was the third and fourth lines that heavily contributed to this victory.
The defense also played one of their best games of the playoffs. Thus, it gave the goalie a chance to thrive. Andersen is now 6-3 with a 2.46 goals-against average and a save percentage of .902. Now, he looks to help keep the Canes alive for one more game.
The Hurricanes will cover the spread if they continue to limit shots. Then, they must take advantage of opportunities.
Final Rangers-Hurricanes Game 6 Prediction & Pick
Many believed this series would go to seven games. Then, when the Rangers took the first three, it seemed unlikely. The Rangers dominated several aspects of Game 5. Unfortunately, they fell short. But going on the road should not dissuade them. Hockey is one of the two sports besides baseball where playing a playoff game on the road is not nearly as daunting as it is in football and basketball. The Rangers have the pedigree and the skill level to go into Carolina and find a way to grit it out. Expect the Rangers to finally find a way to close out the Hurricanes and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
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Final Rangers-Hurricanes Game 6 Prediction & Pick: New York Rangers: +1.5 (-194)
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