Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Rangers - Odds and Predictions

Where: Madison Square Garden – New York, N.Y.

When: Friday, December 27, 7PM EST

How (TV/Radio): MSG, FSCR | WFAN

Carolina Hurricanes (Away)

Head Coach: Rod Brind’Amour{All-Time 68-42-9 CAR}

Carolina is coming off of a ridiculous 8-6 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. It was their second loss in a row. Currently sitting fifth in the Metropolitan Division, the Hurricanes have fared reasonably well recently, going 6-3-1 in their last ten and coming into this matchup with absolutely zero injuries.

Offense

For the most part, Carolina is coming into this game with many over the advantages, including a road record this year that has seen them go 12-7-2 on enemy ice.

Carolina has the tenth-highest goal total this season, and the team averages 3.3 tallies per game.

They are also one of the highest shooting teams, ranking sixth in the NHL with 1,001 shots on net. That volume of shots to goal ratio only translates into a shooting percentage of 9.5 percent, one of the few categories in which their opponent outranks them.

Carolina also finds themselves in the top-ten when it comes to the power play. The team has a 21.51 percentage and 20 of their 95 goals this season have come with the man advantage.

Defense

The advantages continue to add up for the Hurricanes when it comes to defense. The Canes have allowed the tenth-fewest goals against this season and average an allowance of just 2.76 goals per game.

Carolina has also allowed the fourth-fewest shots against all season, allowing under 30 shots against per game on average.

Not only does Carolina have the NHL’s third-best penalty-killing unit with an 85.58 percent, but the team has also managed to score five shorthanded goals this season.

Carolina’s goaltending has proved to be consistent all season as well. While not putting up mind-blowing numbers, the team’s collective save percentage still sits at a respectable .905 percent for the season.

Goaltending

It is expected that Petr Mrazek will get the start for Carolina following three days off. Mrazek has a season record of 14-8-2 with a 2.68 goals-against average and .902 save percentage. He has managed to earn two shutouts this season.

Head Coach: David Quinn{All-Time 49-51-18 NYR}

The New York Rangers are coming off of a 5-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Currently sitting seventh in the Metropolitan Division, the Rangers are only 4-5-1 in their last ten games and have struggled at home this season with just a 9-8-2 record at the MSG.

Offense

Although it’s been a challenge, this game is definitely not impossible for New York to pull off the upset. Like the Canes, the Rangers averaged over three goals per game and are just two goals shy of Carolina’s season total thus far.

Though the Rangers don’t manage as many shots as Carolina (they have the second-fewest shots on goal this season), they make the ones they manage to take count. The New York Rangers currently have the fourth-highest shooting percentage at 11.2 percent – ranking them above teams such as the Edmonton Oilers and St. Louis Blues.

The team’s power play also holds up against Carolina, ranking 12th in the league with an even 20 percent and 21 power-play goals.

It also doesn’t hurt that off-season acquisition Artemi Panarin has been tearing it up for the Rangers this season. Panarin has 20 goals and 45 points in 36 games.

Defense

The Rangers sit in the middle of the pack when it comes to goals allowed this season and they average an allowance of 3.22 per game.

What the teams struggle with is the number of shots they allow on goal. New York allows an average of 34.6 shots against per game and have allowed the second-most shots against in the league this season behind only the Chicago Blackhawks.

This doesn’t bode well for goaltender Henrik Lundqvist who is struggling to stay above a 500-record. Miraculously, the Rangers have the ninth-best save percentage at .914 percent.

The biggest challenge facing the Rangers is their penalty kill. New York has the tenth-worst penalty-killing unit in the NHL with a 77.48 percent. They have allowed 25 power-play goals against. Ironically enough, the Rangers also lead the league in shorthanded goals with six.

Goaltending

Future hall of famer Henrik Lundqvist should be between the pipes Friday night for New York. Lundqvist (as well as the entire team) has shown signs of struggle this season and thus far sits with a season record of just 8-8-3. He has a GAA of 3.12, a .910 save percentage, and no shutouts.

These two teams last faced off exactly one month ago on November 27. The New York Rangers managed to upset the Carolina Hurricanes by a final score of 3-2.

These two teams sit within the same Metropolitan division and both teams are still more than capable of earning a playoff spot. This game is big for both teams as two points bring them that much closer to a playoff berth. Carolina has a lot to prove after their loss to Toronto but the game is even bigger for New York, who sits two spots below Carolina in the division rankings.

Questions to Answer

How will the Carolina Hurricanes respond to their 8-6 defeat at the hands of the Toronto Maple Leafs four nights ago?

Will second-overall pick of 2019 Kaapo Kakko finally make it back on to the ice after the holiday break or will the Rangers be forced to play another hard-fought game without him at such a crucial point in the season?

What does the future of Lias Andersson hold? The Rangers forward has been the center of controversy after requesting a trade and subsequently getting suspended by the team. Will he even be a member of the roster come game time?

Carolina Hurricanes Injury Report

No injuries to report

New York Rangers Injury Report

D Libor Hajek – day-to-day (knee)

F Lias Andersson – OUT (suspension)

F Kaapa Kakko – day-to-day (undisclosed)

Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Rangers – Game Odds

The odds for the Hurricanes vs the Rangers game are provided by SugarHouse NJ, DraftKings Sportsbook, and 888Sport NJ.

Good luck!

Money Line