from Sportsnet,

What will win out: Carolina's home record, or New York's elimination game record?

It's the ultimate question coming in. Carolina's home/road splits have been a defining aspect of their path here, as has New York's unflinching approach to their four elimination games so far.

The Canes' two-faced numbers are as staggering as inexplicable. At home, they average 3.57 goals per game, and allow an average of just 1.14 against. That's what you'd expect from a division champ and a Cup hopeful looking to jump over a hurdle this spring. And the way they started against Boston last round, with back-to-back wins in Games 1 and 2 by a combined 10-3 score, the Canes looked like they would plow through one opponent...but then they hit the road.

Away from PNC Arena these playoffs the Hurricanes average just 1.67 goals for and allow an average of 4.33 goals against. It's a curious development for a team whose 25 regular season road wins were tied for tops in the league. So while Saturday's 5-2 loss at MSG was concerning for Carolina's inconsistent play and the results they got in net, there's every indication they'll be a much different team back home on Monday.

The Rangers have played the Hurricanes much tighter in PNC Arena than did Boston, with one loss in OT and a couple of two-goal losses, one of which included an empty-netter. More importantly for the Rangers is that in these playoffs they have already faced elimination four times and won each of those games by at least two goals.

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