Hurricanes vs. Bruins Odds
| Hurricanes Odds | +125 |
| Bruins Odds | -150 |
| Over/Under | 6 (+100/-122) |
| Time | 1 p.m. ET |
| TV | NHL Network |
| Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
The Carolina Hurricanes are in the middle of a brutal stretch and it’s not getting easier as they head to Boston to take on the Bruins. The Hurricanes are coming off a 4-0 loss to the Coyotes and are in the midst of a four-game losing streak.
Before losing to the Panthers, the Bruins were on a seven-game winning streak. With that being said, they are still the hottest team in the league and are not to be taken lightly.
Can Carolina break the skid, or will the Bruins kick them while they’re down?
Carolina Hurricanes
When thinking about the Hurricanes, the first player that probably comes to mind is Sebastian Aho. While Aho is having a wonderful season (averaging over a point per game), he’s not the team’s leading scorer. That title belongs to Martin Necas who’s lighting it up with 24 points in 20 games. Behind them, Andrei Svechnikov is also enjoying a point per game season and new addition Brent Burns is proving to be a solid one for a team that has needed a veteran presence on the blue line. What’s been a problem though, is that elite playmaker Teuvo Teravainen has been out with an injury.
The Hurricanes are a fascinating team because they are elite at even strength. They’re second in expected goals with a 58.99 xGF% and generate the eighth-highest amount of high-danger chances. However, their special teams are horrendous. The Hurricanes have the third-worst power play, scoring at a 14.3% pace.
Carolina has one of the top even strength defenses with a 2.15 xGA/60, but has had trouble with the penalty kill. As the Hurricanes work out their kinks, they are succeeding at a below-average 78% rate.
With Freddie Andersen out of the picture (injury), all eyes are on Antti Raanta and Pyotr Kochetkov. Since Kochetkov started Wednesday, I can see the veteran Raanta getting the start here against the Bruins. Raanta is having a fairly underwhelming start to his season, only playing to a -0.3 goals saved above expected (GSAx) and a .902 SV%.
Boston Bruins
Take one look at this roster and tell me it isn’t stacked. The “Perfection Line” comprises of David Pastrnak, captain Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, each of whom is averaging a point per game. Behind them, defenseman Hampus Lindholm, who Boston acquired at the trade deadline last year, is having the best start of his career with 19 points in 20 games.
Boston has probably the most well-rounded teams in the league. Its even-strength numbers are among the elite with the fifth-best expected goals rate (55.89 xGF%). On top of that, the Bruins have the third-best power play, scoring at a 30% pace.
Defensively, it’s no surprise the Bruins stand among the best on even strength, playing to a 2.16 xGA/60. Even on the penalty kill, they’re the second-best, succeeding nearly 90% of the time.
Linus Ullmark has gotten the bulk of the starts for the Bruins and it’s no surprise why. The eight-year veteran is having the best start of his career, playing to a +8.6 GSAx and a .935 SV%. If coach Jim Montgomery wants to give him a rest, Jeremy Swayman isn’t a terrible option either, playing to a -0.4 GSAx with an .885 SV%. However, he played in Florida, so I can see Ullmark getting the nod.
Hurricanes vs. Bruins Pick
It’s very hard to back the Hurricanes here, especially after a stinker against the Coyotes. Additionally, the Bruins haven’t lost back-to-back games this season, and I can imagine they’re not too thrilled about Wednesday's loss.
With Freddie Andersen being out, goaltending — as well as the penalty kill — has been a glaring weakness for Carolina. If the Hurricanes find themselves in the penalty box multiple times, it could spell trouble. The Bruins are one of the deepest teams in the league and have a deadly power play, so I’d be on the lookout for a Bruins regulation win.
Pick: Boston Bruins 60 Minute Line (+200)
