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- What: Eastern Conference NHL Playoffs – Second Round – Game 3
- Who: New York Rangers vs. Carolina Hurricanes
- Date: Thursday, May 9, 2024
- Location: PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: TNT, truTV, MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS
The second round series of the NHL Eastern Conference playoffs between the New York Rangers and the Carolina Hurricanes moves from New York City to Raleigh for tonight’s Game 3 matchup. The Rangers hold a 2-0 series lead over the Hurricanes, beating them 4-3 in regulation in Game 1 and then topping them 4-3 in double overtime in Game 2. This year marks the third time the Rangers and Hurricanes have met in the playoffs. In 2020, Carolina swept the Rangers in three games in the qualifying round. In 2022, the Rangers topped the Hurricanes in seven games in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Rangers finished the 2024 NHL regular season as the top team in the Eastern Conference (and the NHL) with a 55-23-4 record. They went 30-11-0 at home and 25-12-4 on the road. The team’s goal differential was +53.
The Hurricanes were the No. 2 club in the Eastern Conference in 2024, trailing the Rangers by three points with a 52-23-7 record. Carolina was 27-10-4 at home and 25-13-3 on the road. The Canes had a goal differential of +63.
Before we look at the betting breakdown for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference NHL playoff series between the New York Rangers and the Carolina Hurricanes, check out our guide to betting on the 2024 NHL Playoffs and our tips for betting on the NHL.
New York Rangers vs. Carolina Hurricanes betting picks – Game 3
 | Puck Line | Money Line | Total |
| New York Rangers | +1.5 (-180) | +144 | Ov 5.5 (-108) |
| Carolina Hurricanes | -1.5 (+160) | -162 | Un 5.5 (-108) |
New York Rangers betting breakdown
It’s a little early to start talking about the Conn Smythe Trophy for the playoff MVP in 2024, but New York Rangers‘ goaltender Igor Shesterkin is one of the early frontrunners for that award. The winner of the 2022 Vezina Trophy, Shesterkin, was one of the big reasons the Rangers beat the Hurricanes in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference series. Shesterkin stopped 54 shots in the double overtime victory. In his past six playoff games, Shesterkin is 6-0. He has a 2.01 goals against average in the 2024 NHL Playoffs, with a .929 save percentage.
Another reason the Rangers are up 2-0 on the Hurricanes is the team’s power play. New York went 2-2 in Game 1 and 2-7 in Game 2. The two power play goals the team scored in Game 2 were the tying goal at 6:07 of the third period and 7:24 of the second overtime.
The Rangers are playing patient and disciplined hockey against the Hurricanes. They are not forcing anything, and they are capitalizing on Carolina’s mistakes.
Vincent Trocheck is red hot for the Rangers. He scored the game-winning goal in Game 2 and tied a Rangers record with goals in five straight playoff games. That record was held by Cecil Dillon, who set the mark in 1933. Trochek has 10 points in the postseason.
Carolina Hurricanes betting breakdown
One of the betting favorites to win the 2024 Stanley Cup, the Carolina Hurricanes are struggling on special teams. The Rangers scored two power play goals on two chances in Game 1, notching those goals in 23 seconds. In Game 2, the Hurricanes killed five penalties to open the game but then gave up power play goals in the third stanza and in double overtime. Meanwhile, the Carolina power play has gone 0-for-10 to open the Rangers’ series. Carolina’s power play was No. 2 in the league during the regular season, while the team’s penalty kill was No. 1. Whatever is ailing the Carolina special teams squads needs to be rectified in a hurry, as both the PP and PK are in the bottom half among teams in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Sebastian Aho has been Carolina’s leader against the Rangers. He picked up two assists in Game 1 and added three more assists in Game 2. However, Aho, who led the Hurricanes in regular season scoring with 89 points (36 goals, 53 assists), has yet to score a power play goal in the playoffs. He had 11 PP goals in the regular season.
Carolina goaltender Frederik Andersen has been good but not great in the series. He allowed four goals on 23 shots in Game 1 and followed that by letting in four goals in Game 2 on 39 shots. His numbers in the playoffs are .899 save percentage and a 2.58 goals against average.
Best bets for Game 3 between New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes
The last time the Carolina Hurricanes lost more than two games in a row was in early December when they went on a four-game losing skid. The last time the team lost two in a row outside the playoffs was in late February. The team is hard to beat, and I don’t expect the New York Rangers to go up 3-0 in this series. The betting pick is for the Carolina Hurricanes to beat the New York Rangers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Expect the Hurricanes to play a tighter game in Carolina. With that, they will be in the penalty box less, giving the Rangers fewer opportunities to capitalize on their mistakes. A tighter game means fewer goals. The betting pick is that the Rangers and Hurricanes will combine for under 5.5 goals in Game 3.
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