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Edgar Chaput
New Jersey Devils vs. Carolina Hurricanes Game 2 Prediction, NHL Odds
Perhaps it was the short turnaround after dispatching the Rangers in seven games. Perhaps we’ll find out through the series that Carolina is the superior outfit. Whatever the case, Game 1 didn’t live up to be billing, as the Hurricanes stormed their way to a 5-1 victory.
As for the next bout, the NHL odds remain tight, with the host Hurricanes sitting at -119 and the visiting Devils at -101.
Devils vs. Hurricanes NHL Playoffs Betting Odds
The odds remain relatively tight on the NHL series board despite that Game 1 ended up being somewhat of a wash. Rod Brind’Amour’s Hurricanes are -167 to Lindy Ruff’s Devils at +146, so oddsmakers haven’t overwhelmingly given up on New Jersey. Case in point, the series outcome with the best price is Canes in seven (+448). As such, fans can still expect an extended tussle between these Metropolitan Division foes. Devils in seven is close behind at +474.
Of the two clubs involved, the Hurricanes are the ones with more experience in second-round postseason action but also with lessons learned. Last year they were up 2-0 and 3-2 to the Rangers before getting ousted in seven at home.
New Jersey Devils
Whatever the reasons for what transpired in Game 1 against the Hurricanes, it was an underwhelming performance. Even Akira Schmid, who looked like a saviour in Round 1, saw his powerful aura crash down to earth as he coughed up three goals on 11 shots before getting the hook.
There was little doubt as to which team had more pep in their step. New Jersey looked slower, less confident, and discombobulated. Frankly, the performance was reminiscent of how their first-round series against the Rangers began, and we all know how that turned out so there is still hope. The score could have been even worse than it was. After Vitek Vanecek came in for relief of Schmid, the Canes struck the post not one but twice. The only goal scorer for the visitors was Nathan Bastian (first) whose nice backhand move in the middle frame cut the deficit to 3-1, but the marker failed to provide wind in New Jersey’s sails. Unless the opposing goalie is having a terrible night, 18 shots on goal won’t win many games in the playoffs.
At the very least the club knows what it’s like to be down early in a series after receiving a good punch in the mouth. There is no reason to cry doom and gloom after one match, but it’s also undisputable that the performances need to be better.
Carolina Hurricanes
Now for the flip side of the coin. Game 1 is precisely how a team wants to send a message to a playoff opponent. You wanted us? You got us and it won’t be roses.
True to their name, the Hurricanes were whirling around the Devils from the opening puck drop. It was quite easy to discern which team had benefitted from several days of rest at home and which had expended considerable energy only 48 hours prior. Brett Pesce (first) got the fans rocking with a goal off a face off at 9:41 for a 1-0 lead before Seth Jarvis earned his third of the postseason five minutes later on a partial breakaway to double the hosts’ lead. Carolina never allowed their opponents to settle into the game. Barely two minutes into the second period, a clever give-and-go between Jordan Martinook and Jesperi Kotkaniemi allowed the latter to tap in the team’s third past a hopeless Schmid. That was all she wrote as far as how competitive the game was ever going to get.
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