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Edgar Chaput
Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils Game 3 Prediction, NHL Odds
For two teams that know each other so well and finished rather close to one another in the standings, this second-round playoff matchup has been a decisively one-sided affair. Carolina has outscored its opponent 11-2 through two tilts, looking like the overwhelmingly superior club. Game 2 went 6-1 for the Canes.
The change of setting gives the Devils a boost on the NHL odds, as they’re pegged at -140 on the moneyline and +197 on the puckline. As for the total, it’s set at 5.5.
Hurricanes vs. Devils NHL Playoffs Betting Odds
Understandably the series odds have widened open in the aftermath of back-to-back drubbings favouring of the Hurricanes. The latter has jumped from -167 to -345. Conversely, the Devils were at +146 and now sit at +296.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we’ll risk repeating that Carolina needs to be wary. Flashback to last year’s postseason journey when a good-looking 2-0 second-round series lead devolved into a 4-3 defeat. How ironic should the Devils perform the same feat in the same round after dispatching the Rangers following their own 2-0 hole.
The first two games of this series have seen the over connect. That makes it five of out eight games that happened with Carolina, along with one push. Interestingly, several Devils games have also cashed in with the over, but only when the team loses. They’re 4-5 in these Stanley Cup playoffs, 4-0 when the under hits, 0-5 when the scoredfavours the over.
Carolina Hurricanes
New Jersey gave Carolina a few fits in the opening period in Game 2. An early penalty forced the hosts to defend and Frederick Andersen to come up with some big stops. Once that was out of the way, the Canes make the Devils look like mincemeat once again.
The floodgates opened in the middle frame. Although the Hurricanes benefited from only two powerplay opportunities, former Hab Jesperi Kotkaniemi (second) scored on one. He then earned a brace off of terrific pressure behind the Devils’ net that landed the puck on his stick just to Schmid’s left. There was almost no space, but he squeezed the puck into the net somehow. Jordan Staal’s goal (first) was the one that hinted this was Carolina’s night. He sneaked past New Jersey defencemen, received a pass for a breakaway and put the moves on Schmid. The fourth, from Martin Necas (second) was all about pressure and confusion at the conclusion of a flurry of chances. Once again the match was pretty much over before the third period even began. Canes win 6-1.
New Jersey Devils
At the very least, the last two home games Lindy Ruff’s squad played went splendidly. A pair of 4-0 victories in the first round over the Rangers helped them do away with their regional rivals.
They’ll need similar performances in games 3 and 4 versus the Hurricanes, or simply better ones than what they offered in the first two bouts. In almost every conceivable way their rivals have proven to be a better team, although we’ve written that sentiment before regarding the Devils in these playoffs. In an almost mirror image of the first-round tussle, New Jersey has failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities (they did create a decent amount in the first period of Game 2) and when things have gone bad, they’ve snowballed into avalanches. The second period did them in in Game 2, with the hosts outscoring them 4-0. Akira Schmid has been pulled three times in his last four starts. It isn’t as if the Devils are undisciplined; they only took two penalties. They can’t just cash in on their chances when they come and look pitiful when momentum swings in the other club’s favour. Miles Wood (first) was the lone goal scorer by making it 4-1 early in the third period.
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