The NHL playoffs are in full swing, and the Rangers are showing that they’re in their dominant form. With the Broadway Blueshirts taking a quick 2-0 lead over the once-favorite Hurricanes, what does this mean for the odds for the Stanley Cup?
New York Rangers Odds: +550 (opened at +1400)
Carolina Hurricanes Odds: +1000 (opened at +950)
In what can only be described as a testament to their skill and strategic on-ice play, the New York Rangers have surged to a 2-0 series lead against the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the NHL playoffs.
The highlight came Tuesday night when Vincent Trocheck sealed the deal with a power-play goal in the second overtime, leading to a dramatic 4-3 victory. While the win managed to move the odds quite a bit, it does temper the enthusiasm of the ‘Canes fans quite a bit.
This win was a statement game that underscored the Rangers' ability to thrive under pressure. That’s a skill set any NHL team looking to hoist the Stanley Cup over their heads needs, especially in the high-stakes environment of the playoffs.
Key to the Rangers' success was the standout performance of goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who stopped a season-high 54 shots and locking in a crazy .947 save percentage. Shesterkin's heroics were necessary in keeping the game within reach, allowing his teammates the opportunity to clinch the win in a nail-biting finish.
However, Shesterkin wasn’t the only one showing off on the ice. Alexis Lafreniere also shone brightly, scoring twice, while Chris Kreider continued to bolster his postseason credentials with another power-play goal. These aren’t the guys you’d expect to take the top spots for the Rangers. That’s typically Artemi Panarin, but in games like this, you need other guys to step up when necessary.
The game's tension peaked in the second overtime when Shesterkin made several unbelievable saves, setting the stage for Trocheck's game-winner at just 7:24 into the double OT.
This goal not only extended Trocheck's goal-scoring streak to five games but also marked the Rangers' first overtime playoff win since 2022 against the Penguins.
While this game adjusted the odds in favor of the Rangers, they’ll need more of these types of performances to make it through to the Eastern Conference Finals and into the Stanley Cup.
A significant advantage for the Rangers throughout the regular season as well as the postseason has been their lethal power play. Scoring twice with the man advantage against the league's top penalty-killing team is no small feat.
The ‘Canes came into the game with an 86.4% penalty kill, whereas the Rangers came in with a 26.4% power play. So, whenever these two teams meet up with one of the Hurricanes in the box, it always makes for great hockey.
This performance is part of a broader trend for the Rangers, who are converting at a remarkable 40% rate in the playoffs, showcasing their strategic execution and teamwork. Hockey just doesn’t get any better than that.
This effectiveness on the power play reflects a broader confidence that goes throughout the team. As Trocheck pointed out in his post-game interview, the team has come to rely on their special teams not just to compete but to dominate, expecting to score and often delivering at critical moments. That’s exactly what paid off for the Rangers in game 2 of the series.
The first two games were fun, but there’s much more hockey to be played.
With the series shifting to Raleigh for the next two games, the Hurricanes face an uphill battle, but at least they have the home-ice advantage on their side.
They need to regroup and find a way to solve the Shesterkin problem, which has been an absolute wall in front of the net. Meanwhile, the Rangers carry not only a series lead but also significant momentum into these away games. This is Carolina’s chance to regain some lost ground.
The Rangers’ ability to come from behind — highlighted by their league-leading 28 comeback wins this season — makes them a dangerous opponent in any game situation, even if it’s on away ice.
There is a lot on the line for both teams, which means we have to analyze the overall picture a bit more to make some good bets.
For the Rangers and the Hurricanes, we think these players will stand out in games 3 and 4 and should be players that are on your radar for the best bets—
Igor Shesterkin. He’s extremely hot in the net and will continue to be. This isn’t a fluke. Any prop bets that have an over/under for save percentages, we recommend picking the over. He’s that good, and he’s that hot. Don’t miss out on any bets with Igor.
Artemi Panarin. Just because he didn’t get any goals in game 2 doesn’t mean he’s not producing. He led the team with 120 points overall in the regular season and even had 3 assists in game 2. Don’t count on him for the G column; count on him for the A column.
Jake Guentzel. Jake came out big in game 2 with 2 goals. He continues to dominate and gets faster and smoother with each game. He’s hot, and we would take any prop bet that includes Guentzel.
Sebastian Aho. The star of the Hurricanes, Aho, never disappoints. He plays a lot like Panarin with his smooth puck handling skills and quick passes. While he led the team in points in the regular season with 89, we expect he’s going to take it up a notch with the season on the line in Carolina.
Get in on those bets whenever they pop up. We also recommend using a bonus offer from any of the major sportsbooks so you can use the bonus bets to get in on the NHL playoffs.
The Rangers' playoff performance has undoubtedly raised their profile as one of the favorites to lift the Stanley Cup, which is highlighted by the massive shift in the futures odds.
Currently sitting as the second favorite with odds at +550, their chances have markedly improved, and rightfully so. This optimism is grounded in their recent form, their strategic gameplay, and their ability to win under pressure against quality teams like the Hurricanes. All of these qualities are essential for a deep playoff run.
Given their current trajectory and the strengths they've displayed throughout round 1 and the current series, the Rangers have every reason to be confident.
Their blend of experienced leadership and young talent, all wrapped up under coach Peter Laviolette, makes them a dominant force.
The team's resilience and strategic play in critical moments highlight their readiness to not just compete but potentially secure their first Stanley Cup since 1994.
As the playoffs progress, all eyes will be on the Rangers, not only to see if they can maintain their lead over the Hurricanes but also how far this momentum can take them in their quest for the championship.