NY Rangers vs. Carolina Hurricanes odds, predictions for Game 3 Thursday

The Eastern Conference semifinal shifts to North Carolina when the Rangers face off against the Hurricanes in Game 3 on Thursday night.

New York took a commanding 2-0 series lead following a 4-3 victory in double overtime of Game 2 at Madison Square Garden.

The Rangers tied the game early in the third period thanks to a Chris Kreider power play goal after trailing 2-1 at the end of the first period and 3-2 heading into the second intermission.

More: Game 2 takeaways: Vincent Trocheck wins double OT thriller for Rangers

With Game 3 on deck, can the Blueshirts put a stranglehold on the series and go up 3-0, or will the Hurricanes battle back and make it a 2-1 series and potentially tie it on Saturday night in Raleigh?

Here’s our betting breakdown, analysis and prediction for Game 3 between the Rangers and Hurricanes:

NY Rangers vs. Hurricanes puck line: Rangers +1.5 (-178), Hurricanes -1.5 (+155)

Through the first two games, this has been a tightly contested series with both contests being decided by a score of 4-3.

In fact, dating back to March of last season, six of the past seven meetings have been decided by one goal, which was a Hurricanes 6-1 victory at MSG on Jan. 2.

That changes on Thursday.

While they have a porous road record in the playoffs so far (1-3), Carolina has been dominant on home ice, going 3-0 and outscoring its opponent — the New York Islanders — 14-7 in the first round.

The Hurricanes were one of the best teams in the NHL this season — finishing with the third-most points in the league with 111, which would have been good enough to win both the Atlantic and Pacific Division.

Not only are they gonna take Game 3, but also cover the puck line at plus money and win by multiple goals.

The best price to get Carolina on the -1.5 puck line is at +155 (Bet $100 to win $155) on BetMGM.

prediction: Hurricanes -1.5 (+155)

NY Rangers vs. Hurricanes total: Over 5.5 goals (-110), Under 5.5 goals (-110)

For the third consecutive game, the total in this matchup hits at a low 5.5 goals.

The immediate thought would be to take the over considering Games 1 and 2 each featured seven goals.

With that being said, I’m betting on the under in this one.

Outside of this series, four of the last five meetings featured outcomes with five or fewer goals.

The oddsmakers seem as if they want bettors to take the bait and wager on the over, but I’d go the other side here with both defensive units tightening up heading to Raleigh.

All sportsbooks in New Jersey currently have the over/under 5.5 goals line at a price of -110 (Bet $110 to win $100).

prediction: Under 5.5 goals (-110)

NY Rangers vs. Hurricanes moneyline: Rangers +146 (Bet $100 to win $146), Hurricanes -167 (Bet $167 to win $100)

Even after back-to-back wins on home ice, the Rangers’ are sizable road underdogs here.

The Blueshirts will no doubt have a tough task with 20,000 screaming Hurricanes’ fans — aka Caniacs — trying to will their team to get back into this series.

Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin has been magnificent so far this postseason, posting a .201 goals against average (GAA) and a sky-high 9.29 save percentage in six games — including a 54-save performance in a double overtime win in Game 2.

That being said, Carolina takes this one in what will be a close, low-scoring game, where it adds a late empty net goal for a two-goal victory, and trimming the Blueshirts series lead in half 2-1.

For the cheapest price for Hurricanes moneyline, head to BetRivers sportsbook where Carolina is -167 (Bet $167 to win $100) to win Game 3.