Rangers vs Hurricanes Prediction, Odds & Best Bets | NHL Picks Today (3/12): Metropolitan Rivals Collide

Today's Rangers vs Hurricanes prediction and best NHL bets are brought to you by BetOnline. BetOnline is a market leader in sports betting, offering various options from the NHL to the NBA and everything in between.

The New York Rangers (42-18-4) are in action for the second time in as many nights as they face the Carolina Hurricanes (39-19-6) in one of 10 NHL games scheduled for Tuesday, March 12.

GAME DAY AGAIN. pic.twitter.com/7zmEHYzXux

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 12, 2024

The Rangers are coming off Monday's 3-1 win over the New Jersey Devils as Jonathan Quick turned aside 19 of the 20 shots he faced. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are gunning for their fourth win in a row after picking up a 7-2 victory against the Calgary Flames on Sunday.

When it comes to the Metropolitan race, New York is favored to win the division at -210 odds while Carolina is right behind in second at +140, per BetOnline's futures markets.

Not only is this matchup important in determining a division winner, but it's also filled with betting opportunities. Let's explore some of them by getting into my Rangers vs. Hurricanes betting preview.

Rangers vs Hurricanes NHL Betting Tonight (3/12)

Rangers vs Hurricanes Matchup Information

• Matchup: New York Rangers (42-18-4, 19-10-4 Away) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (39-19-6, 21-8-4 Home)
• Venue & Location: PNC Arena (Raleigh, NC)
• Date: Tuesday, March 12, 2024
• Game Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Time
• How to Watch Rangers vs. Hurricanes: ESPN+

Hurricanes vs Rangers NHL Betting Odds

Hurricanes vs. Rangers odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Tuesday, March 12 at 8:47 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Rangers vs Hurricanes Puck Line

• New York Rangers +1.5 (-183)
• Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 (+163)

Hurricanes vs Rangers Over/Under

• Over 6 Goals (+109)
• Under 6 Goals (-125)

Rangers vs Hurricanes Moneyline

• New York Rangers (+139)
• Carolina Hurricanes (-156)

Get 50% up to $1,000 on your Rangers vs. Hurricanes betting picks at BetOnline

---

NHL Best Bets & Picks Today

Are you hoping to get in on even more NHL betting action today? Be sure to check out our NHL picks page for consensus picks for every 2023-24 game.

You can also check out:

• Latest NHL odds
• NHL best bets and predictions
• NHL betting guide

---

Rangers vs Hurricanes NHL Betting Trends

• The Rangers are 5-2 straight up in their last seven road games.
• Carolina is 6-2 straight up in its last eight home games.
• The total hit the Under in seven of the Rangers' last nine games.
• The total hit the Under in each of Carolina's last 10 games vs. the Eastern Conference.
• The total hit the Under in five of the last seven Rangers-Hurricanes matchups at PNC Arena.

Rangers vs Hurricanes NHL Prediction & Pick (3/12): Will Fatigue Affect New York?

It's the third and final Rangers-Hurricanes tilt of the 2023-24 NHL season after the rivals split the first two meetings. The Rangers prevailed with a close-fought 2-1 victory on Nov. 2 before the Hurricanes got some revenge with a 6-1 blowout win on Jan. 2.

It's safe to say that the regular-season finale is a big one as it could decide the Metropolitan Division. After all, New York enters tonight's contest with 88 points, putting them only four ahead of Carolina. A win from the home team would further close that gap.

It'll be interesting to see how the Rangers perform after playing at home last night. New York typically fares well in the second half of a back-to-back, going 8-1 SU while outscoring opponents by an average of 1.9 goals when playing without any days of rest. That's to go on top of it being 5-2 SU across its last seven road games.

Having said that, the Hurricanes have also played well at home, winning five of their last seven outings at PNC Arena — including the last three in a row.

The Rangers are 8-1 SU in the second half of back-to-back games this season. Will that trend continue tonight? 

Quick played for the Rangers last night, which means Igor Shesterkin will get the start tonight. The Russian netminder has been putting on a clinic lately, going 8-1-1 with a 1.80 goals-against average, .948 save percentage, and a pair of shutouts across his last 10 starts. He's also 7-3-0 while playing to a 2.32 GAA and .931 SV% across his last 10 games against the Hurricanes.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes need Frederik Andersen to continue playing well. He's been solid since returning from injury this month, winning back-to-back starts while saving 42 of the 45 shots sent his way.

On the other hand, the Swedish netminder hasn't had a ton of success against New York. Although his 2.37 GAA in his last six games against the Rangers is solid, Andersen lost four of those contests while backstopping his way to a .899 SV%.

And while both team's special teams are elite, Carolina has the advantage. The Hurricanes rank third on both the power play and penalty kill whereas the Rangers sit sixth and fifth, respectively.

No way!

A save of the year candidate from Frederik Andersen!

Maybe it was going wide, but #31 reaches out and gets this Mikael Backlund attempt. pic.twitter.com/8Tl4MjSOPB

— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) March 10, 2024

The Rangers have proven that they can handle back-to-back contests, but I'm still riding with the Hurricanes. Carolina has been fantastic lately, winning nine of its last 12 games as well as three in a row at home. The Rangers also lost by five goals when these teams met last month and even though I don't expect another blowout, I don't like their chances after that loss.

I'm also taking the Under on the 6-goal total. Yes, these teams combined for seven goals in their last meeting, but that was an anomaly given that the three previous tilts saw five or fewer goals. With the way that both starting goaltenders have been playing, I won't be surprised if we don't see a ton of offense tonight.

Rangers vs Hurricanes Prediction: CAR wins

Best Rangers vs Hurricanes NHL Bet: u6 Total Goals (-125)

Get 50% up to $1,000 on your NHL picks today over at BetOnline

Best Rangers vs Hurricanes NHL Player Prop (3/12)

If you're looking for a Rangers vs. Hurricanes player prop tonight, try taking Martin Necas to record 4+ shots on goal.

Necas has generated offense throughout the 2023-24 NHL campaign and the latest stretch isn't any different. The 25-year-old forward is averaging 4.3 shots on goal across his last eight outings, making good on this prop five times — including in each of his last three games.

Considering how the Rangers are allowing the seventh most SOG to right rings over their last 10 games, I expect another solid performance from Necas.

Best Rangers vs Hurricanes Prop Bet: Martin Necas to Record 4+ Shots on Goal (+137)

Get 50% up to $1,000 on your Rangers vs. Hurricanes NHL picks today over at BetOnline

---

Still Here? Check Out the Betting News Store

If you're planning on betting like a winner, you may as well look like one, too. In that case, check out the official Betting News store!

Whether you're shopping for yourself or a loved one, the official store has a plethora of items available from hoodies and t-shirts to mugs for your Afternoon Betspresso.

Your Morning Joe would look really nice in our new BA$KET CA$E mug 😈☕️

Cop yourself one ⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/rtDEAWWwVo

— Betting News (@YourBettingNews) February 2, 2024