NY Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes 8/1/20 - NHL Picks & Predictions

On Saturday, the New York Rangers play the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1 of the best of five Eastern Conference Stanley Cup qualifying series in Toronto. Since February of 2019, the Rangers have won five straight over the Hurricanes and this season before the coronavirus outbreak had won each of the four games head-to-head against Carolina. Dating back to January of 2011 the Rangers are 18-1 versus the Hurricanes.

This season Artemi Panarin was the dominating force for New York against Carolina with three goals and six assists in four games. Center Mika Zibanejad, who anchors the first-line for New York, scored four goals and chipped in with three assists in three games in which he played versus the Hurricanes.

Carolina can move the puck up the ice well with a talented blue line and can shoot it equally well. The Hurricanes have taken more shots on net with 3,970 since the 2018-19 season than all but three teams at even strength. The Hurricanes also have the best possession rate of 55% over that same span and were third at 54% during this season. 

Carolina added to its defense at the trade deadline by acquiring both Sami Vatanen and Brady Skjel and added winger Vinent Troceck. Justin Williams returned healthy to the Hurricanes in January giving Carolina a solid attack on offense. In goalie Petr Mrazek is expected to start between the pipes but James Reimer could get the late nod.