The first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs Five Game 7s were presented to gifted hockey fans — an exciting conclusion to the first set of matchups. There will be four games in the second round. Only We’re here for you to be ready for Game 7.
The Carolina Hurricanes Hosting the New York Rangers (8 p.m. ET Monday, ESPN)The home team has won all of these series games. (In fact the Hurricanes have won every playoff game this postseason. This is an NHL record.
Will this trend continue? Will the Rangers grab one in Raleigh? The winner will be able to move on to the next phase. Tampa Bay Lightning In the Eastern Conference finals. Here are the facts:
8 p.m. ET (ESPN) | Watch live on ESPN
Line: CAR -150| Over/under: 5.5
Top scorers
Rangers: C Mika Zibanejad 9A); D| 9 A); D Adam Fox 12 A)| 12 A)
Hurricanes: LW Teuvo Teravainen (4 G | 7 A)
Rangers on the path to victory
Raleigh has not seen a lot of blowouts. Even though the Rangers had Game 1, the Hurricanes won the game in overtime. Although Game 2 was uneventful in terms of the flow of play it was still a close game on the scoreboard. It was the same for Game 5. Carolina led by one goal in the third period.
Rangers must create more 5-on-5 quality chances against this defense. Carolina has held the high-danger scoring chance advantage in all three of their home games. They can win Game 7 if they do that and get a bounce. Particularly if Igor Shesterkin His quietly impressive road efforts continue in this series:.955 Save percentage, 1.16 goals versus average, 3.26 Goals saved above replacement He can also contribute two assists to the Rangers’ offense. — Wyshynski
For the Hurricanes, victory is on its way
Raleigh is where you’ll find victory, as shown by the 13 previous games. They are currently 0-6 at home, but the Hurricanes are 7-1 at home, with a plus-17 goal differential of 3.57 goals per match and a 1.14 goals against the average. They are a completely different team at home in every aspect of the game.
Raleigh has an 89.5% efficiency for the penalty kill that failed to stop the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. The power play that failed to score a crucial goal in Game 6 had a 4.2% conversion ratio on the road, and a 19.2% at home. The Hurricanes dominate the game for long periods at home. They have more defensive support at their goaltending, which is noticeably stronger at home. They also display a physicality they don’t have on the road. All this in front of rowdy fans that know they have an advantage at home.
“We hope it is a factor. It’s been a blessing for us. So we’re counting again on it,” Rod Brind’Amour of Carolina said. — Wyshynski
Shilton’s “X” factor: In Game 6, the Rangers’ Kid Line was reunited with great success at their home. The Rangers must be a dominant force in Game 7 if they are to make it to the next round. New York has scored a total of two goals in the series’ three away matches. Filip Chytil In the Game 6 win, he scored a pair while reuniting on a line with Alexis Lafreniere Kaapo Kakko Since Game 1, the lamp has not been lit. It is a great boost for the Rangers’ confidence during a critical time of the playoffs.
The rollercoaster ride that these three players experienced in this series — and the rest of New York’s offense — it would be huge to put together two strong performances that could possibly play a pivotal part in lifting the Rangers into Eastern Conference finals.
Wyshynski’s “X” factor: Carolina’s Special Teams
The key to the Hurricanes’ penalty killing is not to have to use it. Carolina won both of the Raleigh games, with the Rangers being 0-for-5 in the man advantage. The Rangers have gone 5-for-16 since then and scored at least one power-play goal every game since Game 2. The Hurricanes must be disciplined, even though they scored a short-handed goal against them in Game 5.
Carolina’s power plays become the ultimate X-factor if the Rangers inflict a penalty. This series has seen the Rangers end 13 of 14 power play. Carolina took a lead in the second period with the goal they failed to score. The Canes could win anything in Game 7 from their power play.
Final score predictions
Shilton: Rangers, 3-2
Wyshynski: Hurricanes, 2-1