The Carolina Hurricanes look to leverage home-ice advantage against the New Jersey Devils in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series, despite both teams limping into the postseason with late-season struggles.
With the regular season series split 2-2 and both teams winning exclusively on home ice, Carolina enters as the statistical favorite behind their potent offense that averaged 3.24 goals per game this season.
Though the Devils boast the league's second-best penalty kill, their recent defensive woes on the road could prove problematic against a Hurricanes team that's scored 13 goals in their last three home contests.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils prediction: who will win?
For today's Carolina Hurricanes vs New Jersey Devils matchup, our predictive model gives the Canes a 68.5% chance of defeating the Devils.
Carolina Hurricanes: 68.5% win probability
- Superior point production (99 points in standings compared to Devils' 91)
- More consistent goal-scoring (266 goals for vs. Devils' 242)
- Home ice advantage (4th position in Eastern Conference suggests strong home record)
New Jersey Devils: 31.5% win probability
- Poor recent form (LWLLL in last five games)
- Defensive vulnerability (222 goals against, but still better than average)
- Road performance issues (7th position in Eastern Conference with only 42 wins compared to Hurricanes' 47)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model combines insights from top NHL experts. Instead of sifting through hundreds of expert analyses across the web, you can rely on our predictions to understand the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing predictions, data, and opinions, and our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. We then average these levels to produce an 'expert opinion' win probability—reflecting the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NHL experts.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils odds
Here are the latest odds as the Carolina Hurricanes host the New Jersey Devils in NHL action on Sunday, April 20.
| Carolina Hurricanes | New Jersey Devils | |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | -205 (via FanDuel Sportsbook) | +180 (via DraftKings Sportsbook) |
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Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils preview
The Devils and Hurricanes renew their Metropolitan Division rivalry as they clash in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs, with both teams looking to overcome late-season struggles that saw them limp into the postseason.
Carolina will lean on Sebastian Aho (74 points) and their home-ice advantage where they've scored 13 goals in their last three games, while trying to neutralize New Jersey's potent power play that's converting at over 28 percent.
Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom could be the x-factor after posting impressive numbers against Carolina this season (2.34 GAA, .916 save percentage in three meetings).
Recent history favors the Hurricanes who've won seven of their last ten against New Jersey, though the teams split their regular season series 2-2 with both squads protecting home ice.
The special teams battle looms large with Carolina boasting the league's top penalty kill unit going against New Jersey's power play that ranks among the NHL's best.
With Jesper Bratt orchestrating the Devils' attack and the Hurricanes' Seth Jarvis coming off a 32-goal campaign, this opening playoff matchup promises plenty of offensive firepower despite both teams ranking in the top 10 defensively during the regular season.
Key stats
- 1Carolina (4th in East) has earned 99 points through 82 games, sitting 8 positions above New Jersey in the standings
- 2The Hurricanes hold a significant defensive edge, allowing just 233 goals compared to New Jersey's 222 goals against
- 3Carolina enters this matchup in poor form with a LLLWL record in their last five games
- 4New Jersey (7th in East) has struggled recently with a LWLLL pattern in their last five games
Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils form
Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils head to head
Carolina Hurricanes
67%
New Jersey Devils
33%
Dec 29, 2024
Carolina Hurricanes
5 : 2
New Jersey Devils
Dec 28, 2024
New Jersey Devils
4 : 2
Carolina Hurricanes
Nov 22, 2024
New Jersey Devils
4 : 2
Carolina Hurricanes
Oct 15, 2024
Carolina Hurricanes
4 : 2
New Jersey Devils
Mar 9, 2024
New Jersey Devils
2 : 4
Carolina Hurricanes
Feb 11, 2024
Carolina Hurricanes
1 : 0
New Jersey Devils
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