This is the first game of the NHL restart featuring a couple hard working teams. Igor Shesterkin will be is out of the lineup and Henrik Lundquist is in the net for the Rangers while Petr Mrazek starts for the Canes. The Canes will be without Dougie Hamilton and they did not look too good in their exhibition game against the Caps this week. The Rangers were 4-0 against the Canes in the regular season, I like the Rangers at plus value.

My model has the goal total going Over 5.5 in almost 60 percent of the simulations. Defense normally reigns supreme in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but the Hurricanes will have a tough time keeping the Rangers off the scoreboard. New York ranked fourth in the Eastern Conference during the regular season with 234 goals while C Mika Zibanejad finished fifth in the league with a career-high 41 tallies. Carolina also will be without Ds Dougie Hamilton (undisclosed) and Brett Pesce (shoulder), likely for the entire series.