Rangers vs. Hurricanes Game 5 prediction: NHL playoffs odds, pick, best bet

The Rangers might be human after they finally suffered a postseason loss Saturday night when they were defeated by the Carolina Hurricanes to force a Game 5.

The series has played on significantly thinner margins despite the Rangers’ 3-1 series lead, as two games have already gone to overtime.

They’re back at The Garden on Monday night and the Rangers are installed as a near pick ’em at -105 odds at BetMGM.

It is wise to expect another high-pressure game that’s within one goal in the third period, with the clear game-breaker being goaltending play.

Igor Shesterkin has been dominant and the clear advantage for the Rangers.

He owns an impressive .932 save percentage and is allowing just 2.31 goals against, substantially better figures than Frederik Andersen, whom the Hurricanes have flirted with benching ahead of Game 5.

Andersen has a save percentage of 87.8 and has allowed at least three goals in each of his games this series.

Regardless if it’s Andersen or backup Pyotr Kochetkov, the Rangers figure to have a major goaltending advantage Monday.

We look between the pipes for Monday’s potential series clincher as the Rangers look to eliminate the Hurricanes in their quest for Stanley Cup gold.

Rangers vs. Hurricanes prediction

(7 p.m. ET, ESPN)

The Blueshirts were in a tough position early against a Hurricanes team that had its back against the wall and had nowhere else to go but out.

Andersen played substantially better in Game 4 than he did in his previous three games in the series; that could be a sign of things to come or just a one-off strong performance.

The Rangers had just one power play opportunity in Game 4, despite having two, seven and four, respectively, in the three prior victories.

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This is where the Hurricanes have been struggling, as the Rangers dominate penalties and penalty kills.

The Rangers are just one of two teams to finish in the top three in power play conversion (26.4 percent) and penalty kill rate (84.5 percent).

Carolina was the only team that also finished with these accolades and is on the brink of elimination.

The Rangers are frankly better than any other team when playing down a man or with an advantage.

Bet on the Rangers ending the Hurricanes’ season Monday and getting back to the Eastern Conference finals.

PICK: Rangers moneyline (-105, BetMGM)