Hurricanes vs. Rangers Game 2 odds, pick, prediction for Tue. 5/7: Trust the goalies

Hurricanes vs. Rangers Odds

Tuesday, May 7, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN

Odds via bet365. Get up-to-the-minute NHL odds here.

Carolina Hurricanes

While there were seven total goals scored in Game 1 of this series, there have been five or fewer scored in 12 of Carolina's past 20 games. A major factor of this 60% hit rate has been the play of goaltender Frederik Andersen, who has been dominant since returning to the crease in March.

Over his past 16 games since returning, Andersen is 13-3 with a commanding .932 SV% and 1.78 GAA. There have been five or fewer total goals scored in 10 of those 16 outings.

But making Andersen's job easier is the fact that he plays behind one of the best defensive teams in hockey. Of the 16 playoff teams, the Hurricanes rank fourth this postseason in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).

However, this group has struggled to produce high-danger scoring chances at even strength, as they rank 10th out of the 16 teams in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at 5-on-5. They've been stronger on special teams, but that doesn't concern me in this matchup since New York ranks third this postseason in penalty kill percentage at an excellent 91%.

New York Rangers

Not only has the Rangers' penalty killing units done their job well, but this team is also preventing high-danger scoring chances at even strength. Among the eight remaining playoff teams, New York ranks second this postseason in xGA/60 at 5-on-5.

Backing up this strong defensive play is goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who remains one of the world's best netminders. Dating back to the regular season, Shesterkin has allowed two or fewer goals in five of his past seven starts. He is 7-0 over that stretch with an absurd .936 SV% and 1.70 GAA. There were five or fewer total goals scored in four of those seven outings.

This success is likely to continue against Carolina, a team Shesterkin has dominated over the past couple of seasons with a 9-5 record, .933 SV% and 2.09 GAA across the past 14 meetings. Going back to the trends, there were five or fewer total goals scored in nine of those 14 games.

Hurricanes vs. Rangers

Betting Pick & Prediction

Despite New York's 4-3 win in Game 1, there is reason to be concerned with Shesterkin's goal support moving forward. At 5-on-5, the Rangers rank last among the eight remaining playoff teams this postseason in xGF/60.

Their numbers improve when on the power play (half of their goals in Game 1), but Carolina allowing two goals on two power plays is not something that will continue to happen moving forward. This season, the Canes finished in the top 10 in both penalty kill percentage and penalty minutes taken per game.

I fully trust Andersen and Shesterkin, and I would be shocked if we another high-scoring affair like we saw in Game 1.

Pick: Under 5.5 (-115 at FanDuel | Play to -120)