After dropping back-to-back elimination games, the Rangers have a third attempt to erase the Hurricanes on Thursday — and they’re priced as long as +140 underdogs (ESPN Bet) to do so.
New York persevered to erase a 3-1 deficit in Game 4 before Carolina’s first power-play goal of the series sealed it in the waning minutes.
Game 5 featured uninspired play where the Canes won battles all over the ice and, subsequently, the Rangers punched their round-trip ticket back to Raleigh in the third period.
But neither of these losses really defines the overarching plot of the series.
Let’s not forget that the special teams disparity remains vast here: The Rangers have more shorthanded goals than the Hurricanes do on the power play.
Igor Shesterkin hasn’t faltered even against flurries of high-danger chances.
He’s denied 8.4 goals above expected, while maintaining a .924 save percentage through the playoffs.
This is a matter of tightening up defensive-zone structure and having the top-six forwards return to responsible play — both of which are key ingredients in the Rangers’ established identity.
Follow The Post’s coverage of the Rangers in the NHL playoffs
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If these quick-fix adjustments are applied by a team with a proven track record of responding to adversity, the Rangers will prevent a Game 7.
The public is hammering Carolina on the moneyline for Game 6, but at that point, I feel you might as well take their value to win the series instead.
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That just feels like a more convoluted path considering the substantial bargain on the table for New York’s price as road underdogs on Thursday.
The play: Rangers +140 (ESPN Bet)