The NHL schedule has been a little crazy since the players returned from the All-Star Break, with the calendar showing feast or famine in terms of games to wager on. We had a full slate of games on Thursday night, but the NHL weekend begins on Friday night with just a single game to choose from. While the game that is available may not be the most glamorous match-up that we could possibly see, the reality is that its one that could potentially have an impact on the playoff race in the Eastern Conference.
The New York Rangers are in a position where getting into the postseason looks like a longshot at best. The same cannot be said for the Carolina Hurricanes, though, as they are still well within reach of the Wild Card. That said, time is starting to run out now that we are in the second half of the season, with these being the types of match-ups that the Hurricanes need to get points from if they are to start closing the gap. The Hurricanes are favored by a goal and a half, with the OVER/UNDER for this one set at 6.
Hurricanes vs Rangers NHL Betting Odds & Game Info for Friday Night
It took a bit of extra time, but the #Canes left with the win in Buffalo. #TakeWarning pic.twitter.com/xl3CCCFQ22
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) 8 de febrero de 2019
- When: Saturday, February 9 at 10:15 AM EST
- Where: Madison Square Garden, NYC
- TV: NHL Center Ice
- Live Stream: NHL.tv
- NHL Betting Odds: Carolina Hurricanes -120 (Total 6)
Why bet on the Carolina Hurricanes?
The Carolina Hurricanes look like a team ready to make a playoff push in the second half of the season, as they are coming into this one on a modest 2 games winning streak, taking their record over the last 10 games to 6-3-1. That positive run of form has pulled them to within 3 points of the Pittsburgh Penguins, the team currently occupying the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Hurricanes have been okay on the road this season, sitting a game above .500 with a record of 13-12-2.This is a match-up that goes the way of the home team more often than not, though, with 8 of the last 10 meetings going the way of the team with home ice advantage. Almost unbelievably, you need to go back to 2010 to find the last time Carolina won at MSG.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 2.93
- Shots: 35.54
- PP/PK Percentage: 16.20
Defense
- Goals: 2.96
- Shots: 28.04
- PP/PK Percentage: 20.00
Why bet on the New York Rangers?
Heading into Friday night, the New York Rangers are 9 points back of the final Wild Card spot, and while it is certainly not an unassailable lead, they need to start winning on a more regular basis. There have been some signs that they might be heading into a better stretch of form, as they have gone 6-3-1 in their last 10 games.
They have been a very solid SU bet in their own building thus far, going 14-8-6. This is a match-up that has been very kind to the Rangers in recent seasons, as they have won 7 of the last 10 meetings, outscoring the Hurricanes by an average of about a goal and a half per game in those meetings. The O/U was 6-2-2 in those last 10 meetings.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 2.87
- Shots: 28.43
- PP/PK Percentage: 21.19
Defense
- Goals: 3.36
- Shots: 32.51
- PP/PK Percentage: 23.30
Rangers vs Hurricanes NHL Betting Trends
- Carolina is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
- Carolina is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Carolina’s last 5 games
- NY is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
- NY is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games at home
- The total has gone OVER in 7 of NY Rangers’s last 9 games at home
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction
Given how badly the Hurricanes have struggled at MSG over the years, it’s tough to pick them here, but that is exactly what I am going to do. The better bet here would appear to be the OVER, as the last 2 meetings between these teams have delivered a total of 21 goals.Score: New York Rangers 4 – Carolina Hurricanes 5
