*These NHL Playoff picks are done the morning of game day, adjust picks should spreads and lineups change.
CAROLINA HURRICANES @ NEW YORK RANGERS
QUARTER FINALS – GAME 2
NEW YORK LEAD 1-0
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| NYR | 55 | 23 | 30-11-0 | 25-12-4 |
| CAR | 52 | 23 | 27-10-4 | 25-13-3 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | GF | GA | DIFF | GLS AV |
| NYR | 3.4 | 2.8 | +0.6 | 6.2 |
| CAR | 3.4 | 2.6 | +0.8 | 6.0 |
SEASON MATCHUPS
NEW YORK RANGERS 3-1
| 06.05.24 | NYR | CAR | 4:3 |
| 13.03.24 | CAR | NYR | 0:1 |
| 03.01.24 | NYR | CAR | 1:6 |
| 03.11.23 | NYR | CAR | 2:1 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | TOTAL | RESULT |
| NYR | OVER | NYR |
| +1.5 | 5.5 | 4:3 (3:3) |
THE RUB
In their Game 1 matchup, the New York Rangers edged out the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3, showcasing their prowess on the power play.
The Rangers, boasting one of the NHL’s top power-play units, capitalized on their opportunities, scoring two goals with the man advantage within seconds.
Mika Zibanejad, riding an 11-game points streak netted two goals and assisting on another.
New York’s power play, operating at an impressive 44.4% in the playoffs, poses a threat to Carolina’s penalty kill, which faltered in Game 1.
Despite Carolina’s strength in third periods, outscoring opponents 12-2 in six playoff games, their penalty kill woes and defensive lapses need addressing to turn the series in their favor.
With Game 2 looming, special teams performance will be a key focus as both teams vie for control in this tightly contested Eastern Conference second-round series.
PLAYER TRENDS
- Mika Zibanejad has at least 1 assist in the Rangers’ last 11 games.
- Adam Fox has at least 1 assist in each of the Rangers’ last 6 playoff games against the Hurricanes.
- Artemi Panarin has a goal in 7 of the Rangers’ last 8 home games.
- Sebastian Aho has an assist in each of the Hurricanes’ last 5 Game 2s of a playoff series.
- Vincent Trocheck has a goal in each of the Rangers’ last 4 games.
- Seth Jarvis has at least 1 goal in 6 of his last 7 road games.
- Jake Guentzel has at least 1 goal in 4 of his last 5 road playoff games against the Rangers.
PICK – NEW YORK RANGERS +1.5
COLORADO AVALANCHE @ DALLAS STARS
QUARTER FINALS – GAME 1
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| COL | 50 | 25 | 31-9-1 | 19-16-6 |
| DAL | 52 | 21 | 26-11-4 | 26-10-5 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | GF | GA | DIFF | GLS AV |
| COL | 3.7 | 3.1 | +0.6 | 6.8 |
| DAL | 3.6 | 2.9 | +0.8 | 6.5 |
SEASON MATCHUPS
COLORADO 3-1
| 08.04.24 | COL | DAL | 4:7 |
| 28.02.24 | COL | DAL | 5:1 |
| 05.01.24 | DAL | COL | 4:5 (4:4) |
| 19.11.23 | DAL | COL | 3:6 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | TOTAL | RESULT |
| COL | OVER | COL |
| +1.5 | 6.0 | 4:3 (3:3) |
THE RUB
The Dallas Stars, fresh off knocking out the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 7, now face the Colorado Avalanche in the second round.
Despite Colorado winning 3 of their 4 regular-season matchups, Dallas secured the top seed in the West with 113 points, six more than the Avalanche.
The Stars displayed resilience in the first round, bouncing back from a 0-2 series deficit to win four of the next five games. Notably, they allowed only nine goals in the last five games, showcasing their defensive strength.
The Avalanche cruised past the Winnipeg Jets in five games, scoring at least five goals in each game. Led by Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon, and Mikko Rantanen, Colorado’s offensive depth, including contributions from newcomers like Valeri Nichushkin and Casey Mittelstadt, poses a formidable challenge.
PLAYER TRENDS
- Cale Makar has recorded 1+ assists in his last 10 road games against Western Conference teams.
- Mikko Rantanen has assisted in his last 8 playoff games against the Stars.
- Valeri Nichushkin has scored in his last 6 games.
- Matt Duchene has assisted in his last 5 home games against former teams.
- Artturi Lehkonen has scored in his last 5 games.
- Tyler Seguin has scored in his last 4 games against the Avalanche.
- Joe Pavelski has scored in his last 3 home games against the Avalanche.
PICK – OVER 6.0 TOTAL GOALS
