Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils Game 4 Prediction, NHL Playoff Odds
Simon Nemec scored at the start of double overtime in Game 3 to cut Carolina’s series lead to 2-1 and protect home ice for New Jersey. The Devils are getting better with each game, outshooting Carolina 37-27 in Game 3. Although the winning formula, or change in approach, for New Jersey has been a larger sacrifice via blocking shots. The Devils blocked 33 shots in Game 3, and in Game 2 the Hurricanes had 32 of their 56 shot attempts not reach the net.
The home team is a perfect 7-0 in all the Carolina–New Jersey meetings this season, and Sunday is a massive chance for the Devils to continue that trend and force a best-of-three series.
Puck drop for Game 4 at Prudential Center goes at 3:30 p.m. EDT, with Carolina a -170 moneyline favourite on the road and the over-under at 5.5 on the NHL odds.
Hurricanes vs. Devils NHL Betting Odds
Home ice dominance is in full swing in this series. Not only is the home team 7-0 in all the Hurricanes–Devils meetings this season, Carolina now enters Game 4 having lost seven consecutive road games. The Hurricanes are just 4-10 in their last 14 visits to New Jersey as well. The under is a perfect 3-0 in this series as goals continue to come at a premium. New Jersey’s scored two or fewer goals in four straight games now.
New Jersey’s Game 3 victory has put their odds to +600 to win the series, although Carolina winning the series 4-1 is still the likeliest outcome per oddsmakers at +120 odds.
Carolina Hurricanes
A pair of third period power play goals was all the scoring Carolina generated in Game 3 as their road woes continue. Carolina is now 16-21-5 on the road this season and it showed down the stretch as they put up a total of three shots in 22:36 of overtime play. The silver lining is Sebastian Aho got going in Game 3 by scoring his first goal of the playoffs and adding an assist. Carolina’s top line of Aho, Seth Jarvis, and Jackson Blake generated 10 shots in Game 3 and were responsible for both goals, albeit on the power play.
After a pair of goals in Game 1, Logan Stankoven’s been without a point the last two games. Carolina remains deeper at forward, something the eye test has shown through three games, but they still need to find a way to take over games on the road. So far, it’s a completely different story with Carolina playing at home vs. playing on the road.
New Jersey Devils
The Devils opened the scoring in Game 3 with Nico Hischier scoring his second of the post-season on a chance in tight. The entire Devils top line of Hischier, Timo Meier, and Ondrej Palat got in on the goal with the latter two registering their first points of the playoffs. Dawson Mercer later potted his first goal of the post-season as the Devils top two centres ended up cashing in at a pivotal time. Still, only four Devils skaters have scored this series and none of their bottom-six forwards have a point in the playoffs.
Defenceman Jonas Siegenthaler returned to New Jersey’s lineup for the first time since February due to a leg injury. Siegenthaler logged 27:09 of ice time in Game 3 as defencemen Brenden Dillon and Luke Hughes remained out of the lineup. Both suffered injuries in the series-opener; Hughes’ injury is undisclosed while Dillon is listed as a lower-body injury.
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