In this article we will formulate a Carolina Hurricanes vs New Jersey Devils prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, December 28th at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Caroline Hurricanes Betting Preview
The Carolina Hurricanes are 21-13-1 this year after they lost to New Jersey by a score of 4-2 in their last game. Carolina led 1-0 in the first and they were tied at two in the second, but they allowed the last two goals in the game for the loss. The Hurricanes out shot New Jersey by a total of 31-23, won 41.2% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Carolina got goals from Necas and Burns, while Kochetkov stopped 19 out of 23 shots in the game.
Prior to that loss, the Hurricanes lost to the Predators by a score of 5-2, but did beat the Rangers by a score of 3-1 before that. Carolina has scored 3.47 goals per game and they have allowed 2.79 goals against per game, while also going 26.2% on the power play and 85.5% on the penalty kill this season. Martin Necas has led Carolina with 14 goals, 30 assists, and 83 shots on goal, while Dustin Tokarski is 1-1-0 with a 2.51 goals against average and a .904 save percentage for the Hurricanes this year.
New Jersey Devils Betting Preview
The New Jersey Devils are 24-11-3 this season after they defeated Carolina by a score of 4-2 in their last game. New Jersey scored twice in the first and twice in the second for the big home win. The Devils recorded 23 shots on goal, won 58.8% of the face-offs, and went 0-0 on the power play in the game. New Jersey got goals from Hischier, Mercer, Palat, and Hughes, while Markstrom stopped 29 out of 31 shots in the game.
Prior to that win, the Devils beat the Rangers by a score of 5-0 and the Penguins by a score of 3-0. New Jersey has scored 3.35 goals per game and they have allowed 2.46 goals against per game, while also averaging 31.2% on the power play and 82.5% on the penalty kill this season. Jesper Bratt has led New Jersey with 14 goals, 32 assists, and 88 shots on goal, while Jake Allen is 5-5-1 with a 2.79 goals against average and a .900 save percentage this year.
Why the Devils will beat the Hurricanes
- The Devils have won each of their last three games as underdogs.
- The Hurricanes have lost three of their last four games as favorites on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Hurricanes have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Devils.
- The Devils have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine games as road underdogs against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Devils have won the second period in each of their last four road games following a home win.
Total Goals Facts
- Ten of the Devils’ last 11 games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Hurricanes’ last four home games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Four of the last five games between teams from the same division have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Hurricanes’ last five night games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Devils’ last seven games as underdogs against opponents on a losing streak.
Carolina Hurricanes Player Prop Facts
- Sebastian Aho has scored a goal in four of the Hurricanes’ last five games as favorites.
- Sebastian Aho has recorded at least one point in each of the Hurricanes’ last 10 games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Martin Necas has recorded at least one assist in 13 of the Hurricanes’ last 15 night games at Lenovo Center.
New Jersey Devils Player Prop Facts
- Jack Hughes has scored a goal in four of his last five appearances with the Devils as underdogs.
- Jack Hughes has recorded at least one point in each of his last 10 appearances with the Devils as underdogs.
- Jesper Bratt has recorded at least one assist in 13 of the Devils’ last 14 games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Carolina Hurricanes vs New Jersey Devils Prediction
New Jersey was able to get the win against Carolina on Friday night and they will go for the back to back sweep on the road here. The Devils are 12-5-0 on the road this year, while the Hurricanes are 13-4-0 at home. Carolina has lost three of their last four games, scoring two goals or fewer in all three losses. New Jersey is absolutely rolling right now and they are allowing just 2.46 goals against per game this season. This should be another very good matchup, but I am going to side with the red hot Devils.