Devils vs. Hurricanes odds, expert picks: New Jersey looks to bounce back in Game 2

The New Jersey Devils had been rudely welcomed to the second spherical of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in a 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in Recreation 1 of their collection. The Devils had been capable of bounce again from a poor begin in opposition to the New York Rangers within the first spherical, however the competitors appears lots more durable this time.

The Hurricanes enter Recreation 2 on Friday night time as a small favourite to take a 2-0 collection lead, whereas the over/below for the sport is ready at 5.5 objectives.

Let’s get to the picks.

Through the Stanley Cup playoffs, The Athletic’s writers will make their straight-up picks. You’ll discover picks, protection and the most recent odds right here. Our in-depth NHL protection is linked under the picks.

All odds from BetMGM and replace dwell. 

Recreation 2 – Devils at Hurricanes

Carolina leads 1-0

8 p.m. on TNT, SN

The large story for Carolina this season has been its depth. The Hurricanes have received 5 of their first seven playoff video games, averaging greater than three objectives per sport, regardless of being with out Andrei Svechnikov, Teuvo Teravainen and Max Pacioretty. The Hurricanes have had 11 goal-scorers within the playoffs and obtained some shocking performances from veterans Paul Stastny and Jesper Quick. This duo has already mixed for six objectives between them.

Each groups have been wonderful defensively this postseason, coming into Friday’s sport first and second within the league when it comes to limiting pictures on aim in opposition to, whereas the Hurricanes have allowed the fewest objectives at simply 2.29 per sport.

The Devils are permitting 2.75 per sport, however have been very hit-and-miss on a game-by-game foundation. They’ve allowed precisely 5 objectives in 4 of their first eight video games, whereas additionally permitting zero or one within the different 4 video games. It has both been a whole meltdown defensively and in aim, or full domination.

New Jersey benched new beginning goalie Akira Schmid early in Recreation 1 of the collection, however head coach Lindy Ruff made it clear it was not due to Schmid’s play. He didn’t decide to his Recreation 2 starter (which is widespread for him) however appeared to brush off the thought of returning to Vitek Vanecek as his starter. Even together with his tough Recreation 1, Schmidt nonetheless has a .935 save share for the playoffs, following a .922 mark in 18 common season video games.

The Devils overcame back-to-back 5-1 losses (at dwelling) within the opening spherical in opposition to the Rangers, so a troublesome loss on the highway in all probability is not going to crush their confidence an excessive amount of.

New Jersey stars Jack Hughes (minus-3) and Nico Hischier (minus-2) had significantly tough performances in Recreation 1 of the collection, combining for simply three pictures on aim. They need to be higher in Recreation 2. The Devils will definitely want them to be if they’ll even the collection earlier than it shifts again to Newark.

(Photograph: Katherine Gawlik / Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos)