New Jersey Devils vs
Carolina HurricanesPredictions & Preview

Devils and Hurricanes Set to Clash in Action-Packed Eastern Conference Playoffs Game 1

In Sunday afternoon's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs, the New Jersey Devils (42-33-7) will be looking to take the series lead against the Carolina Hurricanes (47-30-5) at Lenovo Center at 3 PM ET. Carolina, who finished as the #2 seed in the Metropolitan Division, is favored to win with a current line of Carolina -205. However, the Devils have a strong record of 7-3-0 in their last 10 games against the Hurricanes. Stay tuned to see which team comes out on top in this highly anticipated matchup.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Devils +173 | Hurricanes -205
• Spread: Devils +1.5 (-157) | Hurricanes -1.5 (+135)
• Total: Over/Under 5.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Carolina will win straight-up is 67%.

New Jersey vs Carolina Stats

New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils experienced a rough finish to the season, losing four of their last five games and entering the playoffs in a less than ideal form. They split their series with the Hurricanes during the season, with both teams winning on their home ice. The Devils will aim to secure home ice advantage by defeating their division rivals in an upcoming game.

Throughout the season, New Jersey averaged 2.93 goals per game, with an average of three goals per game against the Hurricanes. Jesper Bratt led the team with 88 points, followed by Jack Hughes with 70 points and Nico Hischier with 69 points. Defensively, the Devils gave up an average of 2.68 goals per game, ranking fifth in the league, but allowed 3.33 goals per game in four games against Carolina.

Goalie Jacob Markstrom finished the season with a record of 26-16-6, a 2.50 GAA, and a .900 save percentage. In games against the Hurricanes, he had a 2-1-0 record, a 2.34 GAA, and a .916 save percentage.

In terms of power rankings, the Devils are ranked 11th and are positioned 18th in offense (scoring an average of 2.95 goals per game) and 5th in defense (allowing an average of 2.71 goals against per game). Their season record stands at 42-33-7.

Carolina Hurricanes Analysis

The Carolina Hurricanes had a tough stretch towards the end of the regular season, losing seven of their last eight games. However, they managed to snap a two-game losing streak against the Devils in their last matchup and will aim for a second consecutive win against their rivals on Sunday. Carolina averaged 3.24 goals per game this season, with standout performances from players like Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, and Andrei Svechnikov. On the defensive side, the Hurricanes gave up an average of 2.81 goals per game, ranking 10th in the league. Their goalie Pyotr Kochetkov had a strong season with a 27-16-3 record and solid stats. The Hurricanes have a power ranking of 16 and rank #10 for offense and #8 for defense, with a 47-30-5 overall record. New Jersey struggled in their last three matchups against Carolina, going 1-2-0.

Carolina Hurricanes dominate at home while New Jersey Devils struggle on the road

The Carolina Hurricanes have demonstrated strong performance in their recent home games, winning four out of their last five matchups. Conversely, the New Jersey Devils have struggled in their past five games, losing four of them. Carolina's offensive capabilities at home have been particularly impressive, racking up 13 goals in their last three games. However, their power play conversion rate stands at 18%, suggesting room for improvement in special teams. On the other hand, despite New Jersey's strong penalty kill ranking, their defensive play has been lacking on the road, conceding 10 goals in their last three away games. With Carolina's solid defensive record of only allowing eight goals in their recent home games, they are anticipated to effectively stifle New Jersey's offense. Considering these factors, it is advisable to place a bet on Carolina for a likely win.

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