The Carolina Hurricanes travel to New York for a Metropolitan Division matchup against the struggling Rangers, who are coming off a roster shakeup with the trade of Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings. Carolina, riding a hot streak and boasting one of the league’s best defenses (2.86 GAA, seventh in NHL), enters as heavy favorites against a Rangers team that’s lost eight of their last 10 and sits last in the division. Key storylines include the Hurricanes’ balanced attack (3.41 GPG, fifth in league) exploiting New York’s goaltending woes (.889 SV%, 25th) and how the Rangers adapt without Panarin’s offensive production. Special teams could decide it, with Carolina’s elite penalty kill (86.96%, second) facing New York’s middling power play (13.04% recently).
Venue Location
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET (4:00 PM PT).
Injury Report
The Hurricanes are mostly healthy but monitoring a key forward, while the Rangers deal with minor depth issues amid their rebuild. Recent trade of Panarin leaves a void in scoring.
Carolina Hurricanes:
Out: Eric Robinson (LW, Upper Body – Expected out until at least Feb 26).
Questionable/Day-to-Day: Shayne Gostisbehere (D, Lower Body).
New York Rangers:
Out: None major reported, but recent trade: Artemi Panarin (traded to LA Kings).
Questionable/Day-to-Day: Noah Laba (C, Upper Body).
Key Player Matchups
Injuries and the Panarin trade force adjustments, with Carolina’s depth testing New York’s rebuilt lines. Projected goalies: Pyotr Kochetkov (CAR, .906 SV%, 2.24 GAA) vs. Igor Shesterkin (NYR, .913 SV%, 2.86 GAA). Top lines: Hurricanes’ Aho-Necas-Svechnikov vs. Rangers’ Zibanejad-Kreider-Lafreniere.
Sebastian Aho (CAR, C) vs. Mika Zibanejad (NYR, C): Aho (0.98 PPG, strong two-way) drives Carolina’s offense; Zibanejad (0.85 PPG) must step up post-Panarin, focusing on faceoffs (50.5% for CAR vs. 54.7% for NYR).
Andrei Svechnikov (CAR, RW) vs. Alexis Lafreniere (NYR, LW): Svechnikov (power forward with 24 goals) exploits mismatches; Lafreniere (recent 2G, 1A game, emerging star) brings physicality but faces Carolina’s top D pair.
Pyotr Kochetkov (CAR, G) vs. Igor Shesterkin (NYR, G): Kochetkov (2.24 GAA in recent starts) thrives in low-shot games; Shesterkin (.871 SV% in last 5) needs a bounce-back at home.
Other Notes: Jaccob Slavin (CAR D) vs. Chris Kreider (NYR LW)—Slavin’s shutdown ability limits Kreider’s net-front presence; Brent Burns (CAR D) adds offense from the blue line.
Recent Team Forms
Carolina Hurricanes (7-1-2 in last 10 games): Averaging 3.41 GPG while allowing 2.86. They’ve won five straight, including 4-3 over Ottawa (Feb. 4) and 4-1 over Philadelphia. Road form: 6-3-1 in last 10 away, with under hitting in 6/10 due to strong defense.
New York Rangers (2-8-0 in last 10 games): Averaging 2.66 GPG while allowing 3.26. They’ve lost eight straight, including OT to Minnesota and blowouts to Seattle/Ottawa. Home form: 1-4 in last five at MSG, with over in 7/10 amid defensive collapses.
Series History
The Hurricanes lead the recent series 8-2-0 in the last 10 meetings, including 6-1 SU in their last seven against the Rangers. Most recent: Carolina 3-2 OT win on Dec. 29, 2025, and 4-2 on Nov. 26, 2025. At Madison Square Garden, Rangers are 1-2 in last three vs. Carolina. Games average 5.9 total goals, with under hitting in 5/9 recently; Carolina covered -1.5 in four of last six wins.
Betting Trends
Spread (ATS): Hurricanes 20-36 ATS overall, but 10-15 on road; Rangers 28-28 ATS, 8-16 at home, 2-3 ATS in last five.
Over/Under: Over has hit in 7 of Hurricanes’ last 10 (70%) and 7 of Rangers’ last 10 (70%), with combined averages at 6.07 GPG; series trends under in 5/9.
Game Odds
Carolina Hurricanes – 205
New York Rangers 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, February 4, 2026
