After three clicks of their heels, the Carolina Hurricanes are back home for a decisive Game 7 versus the New York Rangers for a trip to the NHL conference finals. They’re a perfect 7-0 at PNC Arena, where they seem like a completely different team than the one that’s gone 0-6 on the road in the playoffs.
The Canes are allowing just 1.14 goals per game at home this postseason, while giving up 4.33 per game outside of Raleigh.
Maybe there’s magic in “The loudest house in the NHL†or maybe Carolina’s players miss their families so much when they’re away that they simply can’t concentrate on hockey.
Whatever the explanation is, the version of the Hurricanes that shows up tonight can’t be the one that was manhandled 5-2 in Saturday’s Game 6 loss in New York. Goalie Antti Raanta turned in his worst performance of the playoffs, allowing three goals on 13 shots before getting yanked. His replacement, Pyotr Kochetkov, didn’t fare much better, surrendering two goals on 12 shots.
It wasn’t just the goaltending that did the Canes in, though. Carolina’s defense consistently left their goalies out to dry and Rod Brind’Amour’s team granted New York five power plays. The Rangers converted on two of them.
The Hurricanes are a -150 favorite on BetMGM to close the series out with a win tonight.
Who else is playing today?
With the NBA conference finals wrapped up, all we’re left with besides the French Open and Canada’s favourite pastime is America’s favorite pastime.
There are 13 games on the MLB slate today, kicking off with the Brewers and Cubs at 1:05 p.m. and ending with the red-hot Dodgers hosting the Pirates in a nightcap.
Pittsburgh took two out of three games from Los Angeles in a homestand a few weeks ago, but the Dodgers have won 13 of their last 15 contests and ace Walker Buehler hasn’t lost a start in over a month. They’re a hefty -350 on the moneyline and -2.5 on the run line.
What’s the best bet?
I’m riding the Hurricanes at home until the wheels fall off. Hopefully, that won’t be tonight.
