The Carolina Hurricanes made an emphatic opening statement with a 5-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils in Game 1 of the NHL Eastern Conference semifinals.
Coming off short rest, the Devils looked a step slow and proved to be no match for the Hurricanes. Let’s turn our attention now to Devils vs. Hurricanes Game 2 predictions, odds, and props.
Carolina improved to 10-2 in its last dozen home playoff games at PNC Arena. Will the Hurricanes continue their dominance on home ice in Game 2, or can the Devils bounce back and get the all-important split heading back to New Jersey?
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Devils vs. Hurricanes Game 2 Odds
Depending on your sportsbook, it was interesting to watch line movement for the opening game tilt toward the Devils after the Hurricanes opened as the -120 favorite at BetMGM.
For Game 2, DraftKings was dealing Carolina as the -115 favorite on the moneyline. The Devils could be backed as a -105 underdog. Feel more comfortable on the puck line? Grab the Devils +1.5 at -265, or take a shot on the Hurricanes -1.5 at +225.
The total was set at 5.5 and juiced to the Under at -135. Over bettors will be rewarded at +115 odds if these teams combine for six goals as they did in the opener.
Here are Devils vs. Hurricanes Game 2 betting lines from top-rated sportsbooks across the industry.
Devils vs. Hurricanes Series Price + NHL Futures Odds
The series price has flipped in favor of Carolina after its dominant Game 1 performance. After opening Carolina as a +110 underdog, DraftKings was dealing the Canes as the -170 favorite as of Friday.
The lower-seeded Devils are now priced as +145 dogs after opening as the -130 favorite.
Stanley Cup futures at DraftKings have also shifted with the Hurricanes and Panthers listed as +450 betting co-favorites. New Jersey lengthened from +600 to +850 after coming up way short in the first game.
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Devils vs. Hurricanes Game 2 Betting Trends
Carolina looked so good in the opener, and that impression has clearly lingered in the minds of many bettors at DraftKings. For Game 2, 67% of the moneyline handle was on the Hurricanes at -115 on Friday morning.
That was contrary to the Game 1 puck line, as 52% of bettors liked the Devils +1.5.
Bettors were hammering the Over on the Game 2 total at 5.5, with nearly 80% of the handle and bets expecting a high-scoring affair. You’d expect the Devils to contribute more offensively in Game 2 with the benefit of added rest.
Can Hurricanes Continue Dominance at Home?
Expect a much better display from a rejuvenated New Jersey team in Game 2, but the last place you want to play as a visitor in the NHL Playoffs is PNC Arena.
The Hurricanes have won 83.3% of their home playoff games dating back to last year with a record of 10-2. Frederik Andersen held New Jersey to one goal in the opening game, and it’ll be interesting to see if Andersen or Antti Raanta gets the start in Game 2. Raanta is 8-1 in his last nine playoff games on home ice.
The Devils likely wouldn’t be here without backup goaltender Akira Schmid. Starter Vitek Vanecek yielded nine goals in the first two games against the Rangers, and Schmid helped New Jersey come back and win the series after going down 0-2.
Schmid, who went 4-1 with a playoff-best 1.38 goals against average vs. New York, was exposed a bit in Game 1 vs. Carolina. Vanacek had to come on in relief after Schmid gave up three goals on 11 shots in the opener.
Devils vs. Hurricanes Game 2 Prop Bets
Here are some of the top prop bets being offered for Devils vs. Hurricanes Game 2 at DraftKings.
Goal Scorer, First & Anytime
- Jack Hughes (+950 first, +140 anytime)
- Sebastian Aho (+1100, +155)
- Timo Meier* (+1200, +180)
- Martin Necas (+1300, +200)
- Jesper Bratt (+1300, +225)
- Seth Jarvis (+1400, +230)
- Nico Hischier (+1500, +250)
*Meier did not play in Game 1 and his status is uncertain for tonight.
Race to Goals (not including OT)
- 2 Goals (Devils +115, Hurricanes +100)
- 3 Goals (Devils +165, Hurricanes +140)
- 4 Goals (Devils +290, Hurricanes +245)
- 5 Goals (Rangers +600, Devils +500)
To Win by Shutout
- Devils +950
- Hurricanes +850
Devils vs. Hurricanes Game 2 & Series Predictions
We had a nice hit in the opener after playing the Hurricanes on the moneyline at -120. The outcome was never in question.
It’s important to remember here that the Devils also lost 5-1 in the opening game to the Rangers. Then New Jersey promptly lost Game 2, but managed to overcome a two-game deficit to win that series.
Monitor the status of New Jersey forward Timo Meier heading into the game. He missed the opener after taking a huge hit in Game 7 vs. the Rangers. Meier remains day to day with an undisclosed injury. Meier, a key acquisition before the trade deadline from San Jose, has failed to register a point in the playoffs.
This still feels like a game that could go either way tonight. We expect a much better effort from the Devils, and Jack Hughes to find his offensive stride and hit the score sheet. The Devils vs. Hurricanes Game 2 bet is New Jersey -105 on the moneyline.
We’re again waiting to make a play on the series. If the Devils get a split tonight and take home-ice advantage, you’ll get a much more attractive price on the Hurricanes (-170). It wouldn’t be a surprise to see this series go seven games, so monitor the ebbs and flows, and then find the best spot to bet on which team advances.
How to Watch Devils vs. Hurricanes Game 2
Date: Friday, May 5, 2023
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC
Channel: TNT
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