2024 Stanley Cup playoffs Second round odds props picks

Javier B ez has 5 RBIs Tigers knock out 17 hits in 13-0 pummeling of Diamondbacks

The second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs starts Sunday when the Carolina Hurricanes head to Madison Square Garden to take on the Presidents' Trophy-winning New York Rangers.

How did we get here? The Rangers dispatched the Washington Capitals in a first-round sweep, while the Hurricanes knocked off the New York Islanders in five games.

Out West, the Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers will challenge Elias Pettersson and the Vancouver Canucks in the battle of Western Canada.

All odds accurate as of publish time. For more, go to ESPN BET. 

Carolina Hurricanes at New York Rangers

Madison Square Garden, New York; Sunday, 4 p.m. ET

Game 1 Puck line: Hurricanes -1.5 (+210), Rangers +1.5 (-300) Series line: Hurricanes (-165), Rangers (+140) Series length: Four games (+600), five games (+270), six games (+200), seven games (+190)

Best bet: Vincent Trocheck Or Mika Zibanejad to score over 3.5 goals in Round 2 (+200). To start, the either/or aspect of this wager is appealing. As is the expectation that this series could go the distance. Apologies for stating the mathematical obvious, but one of these two productive Rangers sports a better chance of potting four goals in seven games than, say, in four or five. While Trocheck scored three in only a quartet of contests versus the Capitals in Round 1, Zibanejad has 15 goals in 36 career games against the Hurricanes. Plus, Carolina's Frederik Andersen has been good but not spectacular this postseason to date.

While the number doesn't boast the same charm, Andrei Svechnikov to record over 5.5 shots on goal in any game In Round 2 (+125) is also attractive. The Canes winger fired six in two of five games against the Isles last round.

If the Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup, who wins the Conn Smythe Trophy? Sebastian Aho (+1800). At +2000 to open the postseason, Carolina's top center remains an attractive option for a team that's currently favored to win the whole thing. Skating more minutes (21:50) than any other forward, Aho collected two goals and an assist in his team's five-game set with the Islanders. Never mind Seth Jarvis's flashy seven points; the Hurricanes' best player is just getting started.

If the Rangers win the Stanley Cup, who wins the Conn Smythe Trophy? Igor Shesterkin (+1500). If the Rangers' No. 1 plays even nearly as well against the Hurricanes and other upcoming competition as he did against the Capitals -- 4-0, .931 SV%, 1.75 GAA -- he'll offer his club a legit shot at competing for the ultimate prize. For which he would likely be rewarded as an individual.