PNC Arena is the site for a Metro Division showdown as the New Jersey Devils pay a visit to Raleigh to face the Carolina Hurricanes. The match gets underway at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 18, and you can watch it live on MSG Network.
New Jersey Devils vs. Carolina Hurricanes Odds
New Jersey is 30-28 straight up (SU) and has earned 3.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 58 regular season matches, 31 of its games have gone over the total, while 25 have gone under and just one has pushed. This 2017-18 Devils team is 14-15 SU on the road.
New Jersey has converted on 19.0 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked 15th out of 31 teams, and it’s successfully killed off 81.4 percent of all penalties.
The Devils, as a collective unit, have been sent to the penalty box 4.0 times per game in the 2017-18 season, and 5.6 per game over its last five road outings. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays 11.8 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Averaging 28.9 saves per game with a .913 save percentage, Cory Schneider (18-17-6) has been the best option in goal for New Jersey this season. If New Jersey decides to rest him, however, head coach John Hynes may turn to Keith Kinkaid (12-10-2), who has a .893 save percentage and 3.24 goals against average this year.
The visiting Devils have relied on Taylor Hall and Nico Hischier this season. Hall (61 points) is up to 23 goals and 38 assists, and has recorded multiple points 18 times. Hischier has 12 goals and 26 assists to his credit, and has logged at least one point in 26 games.
Over on the other bench, Carolina is 27-32 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 59 regular season outings, 32 of its games have gone under the total, while 25 have gone over and just two have pushed. It’s 15-15 SU at home this year.
The Hurricanes have converted on just 19.3 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 18th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.0 percent of all penalties.
Carolina players have been sent to the penalty box only 2.8 times per game in total this season, 2.6 per game over their past five contests total, and 3.2 per game over their last five at home. The teams had to kill penalties just 5.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Scott Darling (23.9 saves per game) has been the primary selection in goal for the Hurricanes. Darling has 10 wins, 22 losses, and six overtime losses to his name and has registered a subpar .891 save percentage and 3.05 goals against average this season.
The home team will be led on offense by Sebastian Aho (21 goals, 25 assists).
New Jersey Devils vs. Carolina Hurricanes Free Picks
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Hurricanes, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- New Jersey has averaged 3.1 goals per game overall this season, but has upped that figure to 4.7 per contest over their three-game winning streak.
- Penalties and power plays may be key in tonight’s matchup. The Devils are 9-14 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 13-20 in games where they’re in the box for fewer than 10 penalty minutes, total. The Hurricanes are 16-19 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 21-26 in games where they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- Carolina is 3-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while New Jersey is 4-4 in shootouts.
- New Jersey could have an advantage if it’s a tight one late. The teams 15-12 in games decided by one goal, while Carolina is only 10-17 in such games.
- The total has gone under in three of Carolina’s last five outings.
- Carolina skaters have averaged 12.0 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 9.8 giveaways per game (ranked 18th overall).
- New Jersey is ranked seventh this season with 7.7 giveaways per game. That figures trended down, however, as the teams averaged 6.3 giveaways over its last 10 games and 6.0 giveaways over its last five.
