The New Jersey Devils and Carolina Hurricanes'meet in Game 1 of a best-of-7 Eastern Conference semifinals series Wednesday. Puck drop from PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C., is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Devils vs. Hurricanes odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Devils outlasted the New York Rangers in 7 games, including a pair of 4-0 victories in Games 5 and 7 on home ice. New Jersey lost its most recent road game, falling 5-2 in Game 6.
Journeyman LW Erik Haula led the Devils with 4 goals and 6 points in the Rangers series, including a pair of power-play goals and a shorthanded assist. Captain C Nico Hischier led the team with 5 assists and a plus-1 rating. However, big-time trade deadline acquisition RW Timo Meier failed to record a point in the Conference Quarterfinals.
The Hurricanes polished off New York Islanders in 6 games, winning 2-1 in overtime on Friday as the Under cashed in the series clincher. Carolina is averaging just 2.7 goals per game (GPG) in the series, although it allowed just 2.5 GPG.