New York Rangers vs. Carolina Hurricanes Pick and Prediction – May 16, 2024

NEW YORK RANGERS VS. CAROLINA HURRICANES EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTION – May 16, 2024 — Are we going to see the comeback? It’s starting to feel that way after two wins for Carolina as the series heads back to the Triangle. The Hurricanes knew they were never out of this series, and as it’s continued, the momentum has gradually swung in their direction.

New York’s defensemen are clearly struggling with the wave of pressure from the Hurricanes. Carolina played the Rangers’ game in Game 5 and did it just fine, cutting down on the shots in favor of higher quality chances. And the result was predictable: Igor Shesterkin could only hold them at bay for so long. When the storm came in the third period, the Rangers had no answers.

Related: Stanley Cup Playoff Betting Strategies

The other reason for the Rangers’ struggles is that the power play has gone cold at the worst time. New York has now failed to convert on its past eight chances after scoring four of them in the first two games. Adam Fox doesn’t appear to be himself, and with the series returning to Raleigh, the Hurricanes now get second line change.

That means Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour can get the matchups he wants and can pair his scorers with the Rangers’ weakest defensemen. If the Blueshirts’ offense can’t produce 5-on-5 or on the power play, this thing’s going back to New York.

The Odds

Puck Drop

When: Thursday, May 16 at 7 p.m. EST

Where: PNC Arena, Raleigh, N.C.

TV: TNT

Public Bets: 66% on Carolina

Public Money: 54% on New York

Odds courtesy of DraftKings, as of May 16th, 2024

New York Rangers vs. Carolina Hurricanes In-Season Trends

The lack of daylight between these teams got ripped to pieces in Game 5. The Rangers managed to get a goal and get ahead, but it never felt like they were really in control of the game. Carolina asserted itself in the third period, and that was the end of that chapter.

Related: Angell’s Sports Analysis – Where Might the PWHL Expand?

However, a new trend has emerged: the under has started to cash. Without the Rangers scoring, Carolina has controlled the play and made it a defensive series. New York’s strategy in Game 5 seemed to be to just get a goal and leave the rest to Igor Shesterkin, which didn’t come close to working with Carolina actually working for its shots. If the Hurricanes are the only ones pushing forward, goals will be at a premium.

Players to Watch

Vincent Trocheck’s sitting on five playoff goals now and has six points in the series, as Carolina has really struggled to adjust to him. But there is a caveat: none have come in his past two games. Have the Canes figured it out, or is it just two difficult games from the Rangers? How that question’s answered could tell a lot about this game.

Related: Bundesliga Final Day Parlay

With a four-game point streak and the Carolina power play now coming back to life, don’t discount the play of Brady Skjei. The former Ranger has always had a flair for showing up in the postseason, and he posted a career-high 34 assists this year. He’s still going off at plus money to get a point, and he’s a strong value play.

The Pick

I said before Game 5 that New York was the better team and should win this series, even as I picked Carolina in Game 5. I no longer believe that to be the case. The Rangers can still win this series, but the Hurricanes have been getting stronger while the Blueshirts are fading.

Can the comeback happen? Yes, it can.