The Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils played surprisingly high-scoring games during the regular season.
My Devils vs. Hurricanes predictions expect that trend to continue today in the first game of what should be a physical and competitive series between Metro Division rivals.
Let’s take a deeper look in my NHL picks for Sunday, April 20.
Who will win Devils vs Hurricanes Game 1?
The Hurricanes are a tough matchup in any building, but they’re a completely different animal on home soil.
They posted a remarkable 31-9-1 record in Carolina during the regular season, including a pair of multi-goal victories against New Jersey.
The Hurricanes are better by record, they are better by advanced metrics, they have home ice, and they enter this series as the healthier team. It’s tough to go against that.
Devils vs Hurricanes prediction
My Devils vs Hurricanes pick: Over 5.5 (+118 at Sports Interaction)
Neither the New Jersey Devils nor the Carolina Hurricanes are teams that come to mind when thinking of prolific offenses.
Both play structured, defense-first styles that are reliant on contesting every inch of ice and grinding opponents into the ground.
Despite how much emphasis each side puts on play without the puck, goals tend to follow when these two teams square off.
They met four times during the regular season. Each matchup featured six goals or more, with seven scored in the series finale.
Each side also enters this game playing more action-packed hockey than we grew accustomed to seeing.
The Devils, who posted a 32-46-4 O/U record this year, saw four of their final five games go Over the number.
The Hurricanes, owners of a nearly identical 33-42-7 O/U record, finished on a 6-2-2 run and also featured at least six goals in four of their final five games.
Carolina was incredibly lethal in their own building during the regular season, scoring 3.77 goals per 60 minutes of play. Only the Lightning and Blue Jackets scored more efficiently on home ice.
Conversely, the Devils finished 11th in goals per 60 on the road and – even without Jack Hughes – still boast one of the most prolific power plays in the league.
This strikes me as a 4-2 type of game in which an empty-net situation could well be the difference.
At this price, I see value in backing the Over.
Devils vs Hurricanes same-game parlay (SGP)
Over 5.5
Nico Hischier Over 1.5 shots
Seth Jarvis Over 1.5 shots
Nico Hischier recorded multiple shots in 71% of his games during the regular season. This is after posting a 73% hit rate the year prior. We have a large sample of data that tells us Hischier will clear this line ~seven of every 10 games he plays.
That has proven true against the Hurricanes as well. As effective as they are at suppressing shots, Hischier has still recorded multiples in seven of the last ten head-to-head meetings.
I’m confident that will translate to the playoffs as well. Hischier routinely logs 20+ minutes of ice time and could well see extra usage with the importance of games ramping up, especially without top-line center Jack Hughes in the lineup.
Hischier will play top line, top power play, and be a go-to-guy for Sheldon Keefe, whether the Devils are chasing the game or trying to see a lead through. With the kind of workload that’s coming his way, a couple of shots is not much to ask.
Seth Jarvis registered multiple shots in 82% of his games during the regular season, including three of four against the Devils.
Jarvis was more efficient on home soil, clearing this line at an 85% clip while averaging 3.1 shots on target along the way.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Devils vs Hurricanes odds
Devils vs Hurricanes live odds
Devils vs Hurricanes opening odds
- Puck line: New Jersey +1.5 (-160) | Carolina -1.5 (+138)
- Moneyline: New Jersey (+170) | Carolina (-195)
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-113) | Under 5.5 (-129)
Odds courtesy of Sports Interaction
Devils vs Hurricanes trend
Five consecutive head-to-head meetings have featured six goals or more. Find more NHL betting trends for Devils vs. Hurricanes.
How to watch Devils vs Hurricanes
| Location | Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC |
| Date | Sunday, 4-20-2025 |
| Puck drop | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Devils vs Hurricanes latest injuries
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