Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head and other factors that may play in. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today’s featured game is the Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Rangers. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs roll on.
NHL Predictions
Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Rangers
Series Head-to-Head: Hurricanes 0-1 Rangers
TV: ESPN, Sportsnet
Our first and featured game has the Hurricanes looking to bounce against the host Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Frederik Andersen is the projected starter, but always check social media before locking in a fantasy starter. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour could decide to go with Pyotr Kochetkov in the crease in Game 2. Seth Jarvis leads the team in points with four goals and four assists for eight points. Martin Necas and Sebastian Aho are second on the team in points with six.
Igor Shesterkin is the projected starter for the Rangers, who have won their first five Stanley Cup Playoff games. Mika Zibanejad scored twice for the Blueshirts in the first game and just missed getting a hat trick. The Swedish forward has three goals and seven assists for 10 points to lead the team this post-season. Former Hurricane Vincent Trocheck is second on the team with eight points on four goals and four assists. New York’s power play has been deadly this post-season while Carolina didn’t convert on five chances in Game 1.
Both goalies struggled in the series opener. Carolina is a very good team at making adjustments and isn’t intimidated by the road environment.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 3-2.
Colorado Avalanche vs Dallas Stars
Season Head-to-Head: Avalanche 3-1 Stars
TV: ESPN, TVAS, Sportsnet, SN 360
Our final game of tonight’s NHL predictions has the Colorado Avalanche visiting the Dallas Stars in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. Colorado is coming off a five-game series victory over the Winnipeg Jets in the opening round. The Avalanche have been able to get some rest, but the old rest versus rust argument is back to rear its ugly head. Alexandar Georgiev is the likely starter in the crease for the Avs. Georgiev really calmed down after a shaky Game 1 against the Jets and played four strong games. Three Colorado players each finished with nine points in the opening-round series. Mikko Rantanen, Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon were each strong in round one.
Jake Oettinger is the probable starter for the Stars, who survived an intense seven-game series with the Vegas Golden Knights. Wyatt Johnston came to the team’s rescue and guided them with four goals and three assists for seven points. Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen each have five points to be second on the team in points. The Stars made some great defensive adjustments after struggling in the first two games of the opening round. However, each of the four regular-season meetings between Colorado and Dallas had at least six goals scored between the two teams. Playoff hockey is a different beast.
Dallas is coming off an emotional series and Colorado might need some time get back into the swing of things.
Prediction: Stars win 3-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
Let’s leave you a couple of prop bets to get through the night. Take Zibanejad and the over on +1.0 points tonight for the Rangers. Go with Jarvis and the over on +0.5 goals for the Hurricanes.
In the night cap, take Makar with the over on +1.0 assists for the Avalanche and Robertson on +0.5 points for the Stars.
Main photo by: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
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