It’s a Metropolitan Division showdown at PNC Arena on Thursday, with the New Jersey Devils visiting the Carolina Hurricanes.
Carolina pulled off a 3-2 road win over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday, so this is a back-to-back spot with travel for the Hurricanes. Still, it’s the home team carrying the chalk in the NHL odds, and Carolina has cruised to a 13-5-4 record at PNC Arena.
Meanwhile, New Jersey has been off since topping the Vegas Golden Knights 6-5 in overtime on Monday, and the Devils have been much better on the highway with a 14-7-1 road record.
This divisional matchup is one of the marquee matchups, and our free NHL picks and NHL player props are the perfect complement to the Devils vs. Hurricanes clash on January 25.
Devils vs Hurricanes odds
Devils vs Hurricanes predictions
I don’t consider these two teams in the same class, and my numbers give the Carolina Hurricanes a sizable advantage. The New Jersey Devils are also missing a slew of regulars, and most importantly, No. 1 center Jack Hughes (upper body) will miss a ninth consecutive game.
The Devils have dipped to a 48.1 Corsi For Percentage, with the most expected goals against (3.03) per 60 minutes at five-on-five over the past eight games with Hughes out of the lineup. New Jersey has also dropped from a 29.1 power-play percentage before Hughes’ latest injury to a 10.5% mark since.
Those are huge declines, and the 5-on-5 numbers are especially concerning because the Hurricanes pace the NHL in CF% (59.9%) and generate the fourth-most expected goals per 60 (2.87), while allowing the fewest (2.26) at 5-on-5. Of course, Carolina also sports a fourth-ranked 83.8 penalty-kill percentage.
The goaltending woes in Raleigh have garnered plenty of headlines, and veteran starter Antti Raanta ranks last in SV% (.866) and goals saved above average per 60 minutes (-0.90) among NHL regulars this season. It was Spencer Martin in the net on Wednesday, so I’m expecting Raanta to patrol the crease at PNC on Thursday. I’m also expecting Raanta to continue his improved play of late.
Raanta has gone 3-2-1 with a .898 SV% and 2.28 GAA across his past six starts (all at home), and considering his respectable .911 and 2.34 marks over 55 games across his first two seasons with the Hurricanes, better play down the stretch shouldn’t surprise anyone.
If the Hurricanes receive anything close to league-average goaltending Thursday, they’re going to be tough to beat.
My best bet: Hurricanes moneyline (-155 at Pinnacle)
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Devils vs Hurricanes same-game parlay
Hurricanes moneyline
Martin Necas Over 2.5 shots
Both teams to score: Yes
In addition to my best bet, I’m also including one of the NHL player props for Thursday. Carolina winger Martin Necas has 20 shots and 27 attempts through three games since returning from an upper-body injury, and New Jersey has allowed more shots and attempts per 60 minutes through the noted eight games without Hughes. Necas has also clicked with linemates Jack Drury and Stefan Noesen for a dominant 70.5 CF% over 88:01 of shared 5-on-5 ice time.
The final leg of this SGP boosts the odds nicely. Even with the noted New Jersey shortcomings, the Devils have a capable offensive core jumping the boards, and they’ve only been shut out twice all season. Additionally, the total for this game is 6.5, and I don’t see either team battening down the hatches tightly enough to blank their opponent.
Finally, there is a notable edge to placing this SGP through FanDuel because it is priced at just +186 at DraftKings. For comparison, the +227 odds present a huge positive expected value of 14% over the offering from DK.
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Devils vs Hurricanes moneyline and Over/Under analysis
There haven't been major adjustments to this moneyline since opening. Pinnacle has the best odds for Carolina as of Thursday afternoon, while FanDuel has a -164 number attached to the Hurricanes.
I’m also not expecting there to be any notable line movement leading into puck drop, either. The goaltending matchup projects to be Nico Daws for the Devils vs. Raanta for the Hurricanes, so most of the cards are already on the table.
The total is nearly a consensus of 6.5, with Sports Interaction hanging a 6.0 (-130/+100). There has been action to the Over 6.5 through Pinnacle, with the Over at -107 as of Thursday afternoon after opening at -102.
I suspect there will be continued support for the Over due to both team's goaltending question marks. Daws enters Thursday’s matchup with a measly .896 SV% and 3.13 GAA across 32 career appearances in the past two years.
Devils vs Hurricanes betting trend to know
Carolina has won four of its past five games against New Jersey, and the Over has also hit in four of their past five meetings. Find more NHL betting trends for Devils vs. Hurricanes.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Covers may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or betting site.
Devils vs Hurricanes game info
| Location: | PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC |
| Date: | Thursday, January 25, 2024 |
| Puck drop: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | MSGSN2, Bally Sports South |
Devils vs Hurricanes latest injuries
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