7:07 pm
April 26

Hurricanes @ Rangers

Who will WIN this matchup?

Carolina Hurricanes (52-20-8)

@ New York Rangers (51-22-6)

 

Starting Goalies:

Pyotr Kochetkov (CAR): Confirmed

Igor Shesterkin (NYR): Unconfirmed

 

Current odds:

Carolina Hurricanes: (-101)

New York Rangers: (-119)

 

• The Carolina Hurricanes have reached perhaps the defining moment of their regular season on a bit of a roll — and in a tough spot in terms of goaltending. In Tuesday night’s important showdown against the host New York Rangers, the Hurricanes might be counting on Pyotr Kochetkov in his third career NHL game. Kochetkov played in the first two games of this road trip, first in a full outing at New Jersey and then in relief Sunday when Antti Raanta exited with an injury against the New York Islanders. Raanta’s situation comes after No. 1 goalie Frederik Andersen suffered a lower-body injury April 16.

• Carolina (52-20-8, 112 points) can wrap up the Metropolitan Division title with a victory, while the Rangers (51-22-6, 108 points) must win to stay alive for the divisional crown.

• The Hurricanes finish Thursday night at home against the New Jersey Devils. The Rangers, who’ll be playing after a two-day layoff, end with three straight home games, with visits from Montreal on Wednesday and Washington on Friday to finish the slate.

• The Hurricanes have rattled off four consecutive victories since the Rangers pulled even in the standings. In the past three games, Carolina has trailed or been tied in the third period.

• The final week of the regular season isn’t a good time to have issues at the goalie position. Minor leaguer Alex Lyon has been injured as well. Kochetkov gave up a goal on the first shot he faced Sunday before stopping the last seven attempts from the Islanders.

• Kochetkov isn’t the only Hurricanes rookie coming through recently. Forward Seth Jarvis has scored in three straight games and has a five-game point streak.

• It will be Carolina’s second visit to Madison Square Garden this month after a 4-2 victory April 12.

• Since then, New York won four games in a row before Saturday’s 3-1 loss at Boston. The Rangers haven’t allowed a goal in their last two home games.

• Regardless of the divisional pecking order, New York is gearing up for the playoffs. That might factor into lineup decisions with the need to have healthy players for the postseason, Gallant said.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
New York Rangers
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