Two teams trending in totally different directions will meet on Tuesday night at PNC Arena as the New Jersey Devils take on the Carolina Hurricanes.
New Jersey had an incredible start to the season — going 21-4-1 — but has cooled off considerably over its last five games, playing to an 0-4-1 record. Meanwhile, the Canes have won five in a row, and haven’t been beaten in regulation since November 25, going 9-0-1 in that span.
Can Carolina keep it up, or will the away side return to the win column? Find out in our free NHL betting picks and predictions for Devils vs Hurricanes on Tuesday, December 20.
Devils vs Hurricanes best odds
Devils vs Hurricanes picks and predictions
Though the Devils and Hurricanes have been disparate in the win/loss column for most of this month, they have had one thing in common — low-scoring games. I’m surprised that this total was not listed at (nor bet down to) 5.5 goals. Bettors should gladly accept this early Christmas gift and pounce on the Under at this 6.0-goal total.
Carolina was at a crossroads in net earlier this year with Frederik Andersen hurt again, and Antti Raanta producing a sub-.900 SV%. Fortunately for the Hurricanes, rookie Pyotr Kochetkov has come through with flying colors. Kochetkov has spurred his team to a 9-1-4 record, authoring a 2.01 GAA and .923 SV%.
Part of the reason why Kochetkov has been so successful is that he doesn’t have to face more than his fair share of shots. The Canes’ defense has suffocated opposing offenses to the tune of 26 shots allowed per game, tops in the NHL.
Jaccob Slavin and Brent Burns have made an outstanding top defensive tandem for Carolina, as it ranks third and sixth, respectively, in Corsi For at Even Strength.
This does not bode well for a New Jersey side that’s dried up offensively during its 0-5 straight up slide. It's managed only 11 goals in that span, with a mere four over its last three games.
Meanwhile, even during their 9-1 SU stretch, the Hurricanes are averaging a modest 3.4 goals per game. They could find Vitek Vanecek a tough nut to crack on home ice, despite his up-and-down December (3.18 GAA, .875 SV%). Vanecek is an outstanding 6-0-1 as a visiting netminder this year with a 2.42 GAA and a .914 SV%.
The Devils’ defenders are almost as stingy as Carolina’s, ranking second in shots surrendered per contest (26.2). High-scoring games are hard to come by when teams can’t test opposing netminders.
My best bet: Under 6 (-114 at BetRivers)
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Devils vs Hurricanes moneyline analysis
As long as Kochetkov suits up, Carolina looks like the better bet on the moneyline on Tuesday night. He is already up to three shutouts through only 13 starts, including the back-to-back goose eggs he put up in December against the Red Wings and Islanders, respectively.
Jack Hughes is the only Devils' forward that’s managed to crack the 10-point plateau this month (eight games played). The next-highest forward on the team by points in December is Erik Haula, with only five.
Burns (eight) and Brady Skjei (seven) have surprisingly led the Hurricanes in points from the blueline in December. Forwards Andrei Svechnikov, Stefan Noesen, Martin Necas, Seth Jarvis, Jordan Martinook, and Jordan Staal are mired in a tie for third with five points apiece. But all it takes is a spark to get this unit going again.
The head-to-head trends strongly suggest Carolina will prevail, as the Devils are 1-4 in their last five meetings with the Hurricanes, and 1-6 in their last seven meetings in Raleigh. The home team is 10-2 in the last 12 meetings between these two clubs.
The Hurricanes would be playable all the way up to the -140 range.
Devils vs Hurricanes Over/Under analysis
A good power-play unit can solve even the strongest netminder from time to time, but that’s unlikely to transpire on Tuesday night.
The New Jersey power play has not been a source of strength at any point this year, ranking 24th with a 20% conversion rate, so don’t look for the man-advantage unit to get the Devils out of their offensive drought.
The Hurricanes have been even worse on the power play this season, ranking 27th with a mere 18.3% conversion rate. This unit is unlikely to improve on that without Sebastian Aho, who is in line to miss his seventh straight game with a lower-body injury. He led his team in power play goals (13) last year.
Trend bettors should note that the Under is 12-4-1 in the Devils’ last 17 overall, and 5-2 in their last seven road games. The Canes have gone below the total in five of their last six home games, and 11 of their last 15 games played on one day of rest.
The Under is also 17-7-4 in the last 28 meetings between these two teams, and 10-4-2 in their last 16 matches in Carolina.
Devils vs Hurricanes betting trend to know
The Under is 5-0 in the Hurricanes’ last five games in the third game of a 3-in-4 days situation. Find more NHL betting trends for Devils vs Hurricanes.
Devils vs Hurricanes game info
| Location: | PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC |
| Date: | Tuesday, December 20, 2022 |
| Puck drop: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | MSG Sportsnet, Bally Sports South |
