Game 7 is set to get underway in the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the New York Rangers and the Carolina Hurricanes. Despite there being only one game tonight, there are still a couple of great betting angles to attack.
Below, I give out my two best bets for Monday’s lone game.
These plays are one unit each, or 1% of your betting bankroll. Follow me on Twitter to get all of my plays on days without full write-ups.
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
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New York Rangers (+125) @ Carolina Hurricanes (-150)
The Carolina Hurricanes return home on Monday following their 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers in Game 6. Returning home is a massive advantage for Carolina as they have been a completely different team this postseason when playing at PNC Arena.
Over their seven home games this postseason, the Hurricanes are 7-0, with six of those seven wins coming in regulation. The main reason for this success at home, besides the loyal fan base, has been the outstanding play of goaltender Antti Raanta.
Raanta boasts an absurd 0.965 save percentage and 0.97 goals-against average over those seven home games. Meanwhile, the Rangers have fared much worse when playing away from Madison Square Garden in the playoffs.
The Rangers have been a good fade candidate when traveling, producing just a 1-5 record on the road during the postseason. Four of those five losses were in regulation.
While Igor Shesterkin has proven to be a top-two goaltender on the planet, his road splits take a big dip this postseason. Shesterkin possesses a mere 0.881 save percentage and 3.82 goals-against average over those six road games.
With how the playoffs have gone for the Hurricanes and the Rangers, we have to take the home team in this matchup. Add to the fact that Raanta has been impenetrable on home ice, and I am comfortable with taking the Hurricanes in regulation.
Best Bet: Carolina Hurricanes 3-Way ML (+110)
New York Rangers @ Carolina Hurricanes, o/u 5 (-150/+125)
This series has been a moneymaker for those who like to take the under, and Game 7 should be no different. There have been five or fewer total goals scored in five of the first six games in this series, with all three of Carolina’s home games seeing four or fewer total goals scored.
I am backing this trend to continue, mainly due to Carolina’s starting goaltender Antti Raanta’s track record on home ice this postseason. As mentioned above, Raanta has been unbeatable at home as he boasts a 0.965 save percentage and 0.97 goals-against average in these playoffs.
Meanwhile, I am fading each offense as both teams have failed to live up to expectations in this postseason. Amongst the remaining five teams left in the playoffs, the Hurricanes and Rangers rank fourth and fifth respectively in five-on-five expected goals for (xGF) per 60 minutes.
With the trends, great goaltending, and poor offensive play, I am going with the under once again in this series. While Shesterkin has been much worse on the road this postseason, he is still one of the world’s best at his position and should be able to keep Carolina in check.
Best Bet: Rangers/Hurricanes u5 (+125)
Best of luck!
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Tony Sartori is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Tony, check out his archive and follow him @tony_sartori.