Free NHL Picks Today: Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Rangers 2/11/23

Two of the league’s top defenses are set to square off at PNC Arena on Saturday, as the Carolina Hurricanes (-235) welcome the New York Rangers (+190). The total is 6.5 (O: +105, U: -125)New York (30-14-8) is embarking on a four-game road trip with the second of a back-to-back after earning a high-scoring 6-3 win over the Kraken yesterday, their fourth consecutive win.

The Rangers committed five penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Six players found the net for the Rangers. Igor Shesterkin allowed three goals on 29 shots against (.896%) in the win.

Carolina (34-9-8) won their seventh straight game, beating the Sabres 5-1 on February 1. Five players found the net for the Hurricanes. Antti Raanta was impressive in the win, making 29 saves (.966%).

HEAD TO HEAD

The Rangers won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 5-3 victory in January, their third straight win against Carolina. Four players had two points for New York. Paul Stastny led Carolina with two points (0G 2A). Shesterkin got the win despite saving only 20 of 23 shots (.869%).

FACING OFF

New York is averaging 3.27 goals per game for the season, 12th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Hurricanes team that is allowing only 2.63 goals a game (3rd).

Meanwhile, Carolina has found the net 3.33 times a game on average, 11th in the league, and the Rangers are holding opponents to 2.63 goals per game (4th).

Carolina averages more shots/game (35.1) than most teams in the league, ranking third, though the team’s 9.7% shooting percentage is 22nd. With an average of 32.5 attempts, New York ranks 10th.

The Rangers’ 21.60% power play percentage ranks 17th in the league, while the Hurricanes are 20th with a conversion rate of 20.00%. In terms of penalty killing, Carolina has the league’s seventh-ranked PK% at 81.92%, while New York is 13th at 80.41%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

Mika Zibanejad (26G 28A) and Artemi Panarin (12G 42A) are the top skaters for the Rangers this season with 54 points apiece. Panarin is among the league leaders in assists (8th). In the net, Shesterkin (22-8-7) is New York’s top goaltender.

He has a 2.47 GAA and a .917% save percentage. Martin Necas and Sebastian Aho lead the Hurricanes in scoring with 47 and 46 points, respectively.

Necas has 21 goals and 26 assists, while Aho has 23 goals and 23 assists in 44 games. Pyotr Kochetkov (10-4-5) has the best goals against average for Carolina at 2.33, fourth-best in the league. He has a save percentage of .913%.

HOME AND AWAY

New York is 14-5-4 on the road this season. Carolina has won four in a row at home this season. Meanwhile, the Rangers are 4-4 without a day off and 3-3 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Hurricanes are 4-1 with a rest advantage.