Hurricanes vs. Coyotes Odds
| Hurricanes Odds | -220 |
| Coyotes Odds | +180 |
| Over / Under | 6 -120o / +100u |
Here's everything you need to know about the Carolina Hurricanes vs. Arizona Coyotes on Friday, February 16 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
The only game on Friday's NHL schedule is a cross-conference matchup between two organizations that have gone through vastly different experiences since relocating toward the Sun Belt in the late 1990s.
Since 1995, the Arizona Coyotes have been a maelstrom of instability, operating under multiple owners, through bankruptcy, and now playing as the second tenant in a college arena at Arizona State University.
Meanwhile, the former Hartford Whalers have thrived on Tobacco Road after making their move in 1997, winning a Stanley Cup in 2006 and building a stable organization that has found ways to attract a large, loyal fanbase and win plenty of games.
It should be no surprise to hear that the Carolina Hurricanes are on their way to their sixth straight playoff appearance and rank highly among Stanley Cup favorites, while the Coyotes are mired in a lengthy losing streak in what is shaping up to be yet another lost season.
Less than three weeks ago, Carolina took down Arizona by a 3-1 score in Raleigh. Here's why bettors should look for a similar margin of victory at Mullett Arena on Friday.
Carolina Hurricanes
Friday will be the second game of a three-game Central Division road trip for the Hurricanes, who dropped a 4-2 decision in Dallas on Tuesday. Carolina has been on a nice run since the Christmas break, with a record of 13-4-1, and has been leaning primarily on Pyotr Kochetkov in net.
But the Hurricanes will also play in Vegas on Saturday, so they may save their top stopper for that tougher contest. If so, Spencer Martin would get the start against the Coyotes. Martin has played just once since being claimed from the waiver wire last month — a 26-save outing in a 3-2 road win against the Boston Bruins on Jan. 24.
Also on the goaltending front, Frederik Andersen hit the ice in Arizona on Wednesday, practicing for the first time since he was sidelined by a blood-clotting issue in November. He'll need more work before he's game ready, but it's a good sign for the Hurricanes, whose 5-on-5 save percentage remains fourth worst in the league at 90.46%.
On the puck possession front, Carolina is strong, controlling 56.04% of expected goals at 5-on-5. It has built a plus-20 goal differential, which is fourth best in the Eastern Conference.
Right now, the hottest hands belong to Jordan Staal, Martin Nečas and former Coyote Jordan Martinook, though he has just two points in eight career games against his old team.
(Hurricanes fans: Check out the latest developments on the pending launch of North Carolina sports betting!)
Arizona Coyotes
With the conversation around their arena situation at a furor once again, the Coyotes have slipped into a nasty on-ice funk. After dropping a 3-1 decision to the Minnesota Wild on home ice Wednesday, they're 0-6-1 in their last seven games. To make matters worse, goaltender Connor Ingram left Wednesday's game after two periods and is said to be out for 7-10 days with an undisclosed injury.
Matt Villalta has been recalled from the AHL Tucson Roadrunners, where he is having a strong season. But coach André Tourigny will most likely tap Karel Vejmelka against the Hurricanes. Vejmelka is 6-12-2 this season, with a .900 save percentage and -3.5 goals saved above expected. He has given up a total of 10 goals in his last two starts, but has been solid in two recent relief appearances.
Averaging 2.9 goals per game, the Coyotes are close to the middle of the pack. But scoring has dipped during this losing streak, when they've managed just 16 goals in seven games.
Hurricanes vs. Coyotes
Betting Pick & Prediction
Friday will likely be a battle of the backups, and that favors the visitors. The Hurricanes provide a good environment for their goaltenders, no matter who's in net, and have been providing enough goal support to get the job done. Meanwhile, the Coyotes are in a difficult headspace and are now dealing with the loss of their starting netminder, who has been one of their few bright spots this season.
After a couple of days of R&R in the desert, and the good vibes that come from seeing Andersen back on the ice, expect a confident Carolina team to cruise to a multi-goal victory — with a plus-money payout.
Pick: Hurricanes -1.5 (+128 at FanDuel; play to +110)
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