Hurricanes vs. Bruins Game 1 Prediction: NHL Playoffs Betting Odds

Experience could be a factor in this year’s Eastern Conference matchup between the Bruins and Hurricanes. The Bruins are loaded with it, playing 32 post-season games (as a franchise) in the last three years alone. It’s a different story in Carolina, where the Hurricanes, prior to this season, didn’t qualify for the post-season in nine years. Both of these teams have been impressive to this point.

Hurricanes vs Bruins Stanley Cup Betting Analysis

This will be the third time the teams will face off in the playoffs since the Hurricanes moved to Raleigh from Hartford in 1997 and the fifth time they’ve played against each other in the post-season. The last time they met was back in the 2009 conference semifinals, where the Hurricanes defeated the Bruins in seven games.

Fast forward to this year where the Bruins took two of three games from the Hurricanes during the regular season. Two out of the three games were decided by one goal (including an overtime game) the other, a two-goal game.

Dating back a couple seasons ago, the Hurricanes are 0-4 in their last four games in Boston, while the home team in this head-to-head series is 7-2 in the last nine games.

Also, the over has been in play when these two teams get together going 6-1-1 in the last eight meetings.

Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes have been an amazing story this post-season, and there are so many reasons why.

First off, they have had a great goaltending tandem in Petr Mrazek and Curtis McElhinney. Mrazek started off the playoffs and played well including registering two shutouts before his injury against the Islanders. Then, McElhinney comes in, and posts even better numbers. Head Coach Rod Brind’Amour will have a tough decision in game one, because Mrazek is now back practicing with the team. He is the likely starter.

Defenceman Jaccob Slavin leads the Canes in points with 11 assists, and works at both ends of the ice. He is sixth in the NHL with an average ice time of 26:36 and has spent much of it matched against opponent’s top lines.

Of note, Nino Niederreiter only has one goal in 11 games. This after 14 goals and 30 points in 36 games with the club.

Boston Bruins

According to Head Coach Bruce Cassidy, Goaltender Tuukka Rask has been the Bruins “most consistent player throughout the last series” and that’s good news for Bruins fans. So far this post-season Rask has appeared in all 13 playoff games, is second in goals against (2.02) and first in save percentage (.938) he is a front-runner in the Conn Smythe trophy race. In the series clinching game against the Blue Jackets he recorded his first playoff shutout since May 8, 2014

Forward Brad Marchand has continued this post-season where he left out during the regular season. Marchand is coming off his first career 100 point regular season (36 goals, 64 assists) and has 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in 13 playoff games.

The Bruins received some bad news about Charlie McAvoy earlier in the week. The young defenceman was assessed a one-game suspension for the hit to the head of Josh Anderson in Game 6 of the previous series.

Also, Captain Zdeno Chara leads the NHL post season with a plus-9 mark. The 42 year-old is still a consistent factor on the B’s back end.

HURRICANES

Away

2

BRUINS

Home

4

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