Devils vs Hurricanes Predictions

**SBR Andy** · 04-20-25, 10:21 AM

Devils vs Hurricanes Game 1 prediction from SBR's Gary Pearson:

Hurricanes 3-way ML (-125 DraftKings)

"Three of four regular season tilts between the Devils and Hurricanes ended 4-2, and the other finished 5-2. So, there's a strong precedent for backing the Over, even if the playoffs are an entirely different kettle of fish. While the Under is the most likely outcome at our best sports betting sites, I'm going with the Over.

The Hurricanes scored the third-most goals on home ice in the regular season (3.78), and I'm not 100% confident in either netminder going into the playoffs. Jacob Markstrom was 5-6-1 in his last 12 with a .865 save percentage and a 3.44 goals-against average.

While the Hurricanes' likely starter, Frederik Andersen, is an impressive 7-3-1 in his last 11, his numbers aren't quite as gleaming (.892 save percentage and 2.71 goals-against average)."

It was a perplexing final few months for the Hurricanes, who were the NHL's best from March 2 to March 30 (11-2-0) but lost seven of eight to finish the season. While there's no getting around that ghastly last three weeks, six of their final seven defeats came on the road.

Carolina is an entirely different beast on home ice, where it had the third-best record (31-9-1) and allowed the sixth-fewest goals (2.46). They won nine of the last 11 games at Lenovo Center.

Despite their inconsistent campaign, the Devils were the sixth-best road team. However, Sheldon Keefe's team is 9-10-1 since Jack Hughes' season-ending injury, tied for the ninth-worst point percentage (.475). The Hurricanes' moneyline odds are so short (-205 at FanDuel) that I'm forced to trigger the 3-way moneyline option, which offers a much more respectable -125 at DraftKings.

Unfortunately, I'm forced to clench my jaw and bite my nails for 60 minutes, hoping Game 1 doesn't go into overtime."

Seth Jarvis Over 2.5 shots (-112 BetRivers)

"Jarvis has been much more prolific on the shooting front after Mikko Rantanen's departure, hitting the Over in 11 of 17 games. He was also as efficient down the stretch, firing at least three shots on goal in six of the final eight contests. He's the lead horse right now in Raleigh. And if the Hurricanes can't rally behind Jarvis, they'll be in trouble."

Nico Hischier Over 1.5 shots (-132 FanDuel)

"I'm most drawn to the low 1.5 total for Hischier, who struggled with his shot production in the meaningless games to end the campaign. Before his recent unproductive stretch, in which he fired two or more in one of five to end the season, he had over 1.5 shots in 12 of 16 games. He's also productive against the Hurricanes, hitting the Over in five of the previous seven meetings. "

Timo Meier Under 2.5 shots (+105 bet365)

"Meier has been one of the most reliable Over shooters in recent weeks. And there's a chance he will extend that prolific form into the postseason. While a contrarian pick, I'm picking the Under, banking on Meier's continuing struggles against the Hurricanes. Meier has had two or fewer shots in eight of the nine previous meetings with Carolina.

In addition, the Hurricanes allowed the fewest shots per game (24.1) at the Lenovo Center during the regular season. bet365 offers +105 for the Under, which would yield a $10.50 profit on a successful $10 bet."

**SBR Andy** · 04-21-25, 08:07 AM

Carolina dominates Game 1, final score 4-1.

Updated series odds via DraftKings: Hurricanes -600 / Devils +425

**SBR Andy** · 04-22-25, 12:33 PM

Devils vs Hurricanes Game 2 predictions from SBR's Conner Cooper:

Hurricanes -1.5 (+110 Caesars)

"After closing out the regular season with one win in their final eight games, the Hurricanes looked like a completely different team in Game 1. Led by a two-goal effort by Stankoven, the Canes outshot the Devils 38-13 in the first two periods and enjoyed a 17-6 advantage in high-danger chances on the night.

While Carolina looked much better Sunday than it did in its final games of the regular season, the Devils looked far too familiar for New Jersey fans’ liking. The Devils are now a mediocre 12-14-1 since losing top scorer Jack Hughes to a season-ending injury on Feb. 6, averaging nearly a full goal less per game during that span than they did with Hughes in the lineup.

The recent history between these teams doesn’t suggest that things will be any different when the series resumes Tuesday night. Although New Jersey split its four meetings with Carolina this season, Lenovo Center has been a house of horrors for the Devils for years. New Jersey has won just one of its last 13 visits, managing two goals or less in each of the last eight. Making things worse, the Devils could be without defenseman Brenden Dillon and/or forward Cody Glass on Tuesday after both left the series opener with injuries.

Expect the veteran Hurricanes to go for the jugular from puck drop in Game 2. The -250 moneyline might be too pricey for most bettors, but I’m also happy to take my chances at a +110 return on the -1.5 puck line when you consider each of the Hurricanes’ last eight home victories have come by multiple goals. The Over 5.5 is my least favorite bet of the three main markets, but even if the Devils’ offensive woes continue, Carolina has the potential to go Over the total on its own."

Logan Stankoven Over 2.5 shots (+150 DraftKings)

"Stankoven was impressive as a rookie in last year’s playoffs with the Dallas Stars, collecting eight points and averaging more than two shots on goal per game. His sophomore postseason is off to an even better start as the young forward was Carolina’s top producer in Game 1, notching a pair of goals and recording four shots on net.

That performance should earn Stankoven more than the 14:53 of ice time he received on Sunday night, although he did see more than two minutes on Carolina’s second power-play unit. Shooting opportunities will be there once again against a Devils defense that has struggled to slow down the Hurricanes’ relentless attack, giving up 46 shots in the last two meetings combined and 30-plus in four of the last five."

Taylor Hall Over 0.5 points (+120 bet365)

"Hall provided valuable secondary scoring for the Boston Bruins in his last three playoff appearances, contributing 17 points in 25 games. He flashed once again in his postseason debut with the Hurricanes, drawing a pair of assists while skating on Carolina’s second line with Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Andrei Svechnikov.

His points have come in bunches this season, with Hall notching 12 in a recent 10-game span before going pointless in five straight. He’s since posted five points in his last three games, and I’ll ride Hall’s latest hot streak to continue Tuesday night. We’re also getting great value with bet365’s +120 odds, compared to +105 at FanDuel."

Timo Meier Over 2.5 shots (-125 DraftKings)

"Since I’m anticipating another comfortable Carolina victory in Game 2, I’m not eager to back any Devils on point props in this matchup. However, that doesn’t mean New Jersey won’t be trying to generate more offense than it did in the opener, and Meier promises to be at the center of any Devils’ plans to throw more pucks on the net.

Although Meier recorded just a pair of shots on net on Sunday, he had plenty of opportunities, leading all skaters with nine attempts. And dating back to the start of February, he’s averaged 3.33 shots on goal per game."

**SBR Andy** · 04-23-25, 08:16 AM

Hurricanes score 3 unanswered to take Game 2, final score 3-1.

Updated series odds via DraftKings: Hurricanes -1800 / Devils +900

**SBR Andy** · 2025-04-28T14:46:43+00:00

The Hurricanes win Game 4 to go up 3-1 in the series.

Updated series odds via DraftKings: Hurricanes -5000 / Devils +2000