New Jersey Devils (56-25-8) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (56-23-9)
May 3, 2023 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Carolina Hurricanes -120 / New Jersey Devils +100; Over/Under: +5.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The New Jersey Devils and Carolina Hurricanes meet Wednesday in game 1 of the NHL East Second Round Playoffs at the PNC Arena. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
The New Jersey Devils are averaging 2.43 goals per game and are scoring on 16.7 percent of their power play opportunities. Erik Haula leads New Jersey with 4 goals, Nico Hischier has 5 assists and Jack Hughes has 32 shots on goal. Defensively, the New Jersey Devils are allowing 2.43 goals per game and are killing 82.1 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Vitek Vanecek has allowed 9 goals on 52 shots faced, and Akira Schmid has given up 7 goals on 142 shots.
The Carolina Hurricanes are averaging 2.67 goals per game and are scoring on 20 percent of their power play opportunities. Sebastian Aho leads Carolina with 4 goals, Brent Burns has 5 assists and Jordan Martinook has 19 shots on goal. Defensively, the Carolina Hurricanes are allowing 2.50 goals per game and are killing 94.4 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Antti Raanta has allowed 13 goals on 139 shots faced, and Frederik Andersen has given up 1 goal on 34 shots.
The Devils are 30-13 in their last 43 road games and 4-1 in their last 5 overall. The Hurricanes are 39-15 in their last 54 home games and 46-21 in their last 67 overall. The under is 4-1 in Devils last 5 overall. The over is 3-1-1 in Hurricanes last 5 overall. The Devils are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings in Carolina and 2-5 in the last 7 meetings. The home team is 12-4 in the last 16 meetings. The favorite is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.
The New Jersey Devils are fresh off a game 7 victory on Monday and are being thrown into a new series with no time to rest those legs. The Carolina Hurricanes haven’t played since Friday, and they’ve been a buzz saw at home dating back to last season. The Devils have been road warriors all year, but I’d need more than even money to give them a serious look here. We’re getting a cheap price with the rested Canes at home. That’s where I have to lean.
