Hurricanes vs Devils Prediction Game 2 NHL Playoffs 5/5

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Game Preview: Devils vs Hurricanes (May 5, 2023) Pregame

As the NHL Playoffs continue into the second round, the Carolina Hurricanes take a 1-0 lead into game 2 against the New Jersey Devils. Experts and computer picks alike are gearing up for what promises to be an intense matchup between two top teams in the Metropolitan Division. The Hurricanes have been dominant in divisional play this season, with a 24-8-1 record in Metropolitan Division games. They boast an impressive overall record of 52-21-9 and have won 49 of the 59 games they've scored at least three goals in. Martin Necas leads the Hurricanes with 28 goals and 43 assists, while Sebastian Aho has been a top scorer with five goals and five assists in the last 10 games. The Devils, meanwhile, have put up a strong season with a 52-22-8 record overall and a 22-10-2 record in divisional play. They've gone 19-6-4 in one-goal games and are hoping to even the series against the Hurricanes. New Jersey's top performers include Jack Hughes with 43 goals and 56 assists, and Erik Haula who has scored six goals with two assists in the last 10 games. NHL picks and parlay experts are keeping a close eye on this game, with the FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NHL LINE currently favoring the Hurricanes at -118. However, the Devils are not far behind with odds at -102. The over/under is set at 5.5. As injuries impact both teams, the Hurricanes are without Ondrej Kase, Jake Gardiner, Max Pacioretty, Teuvo Teravainen, and Andrei Svechnikov. Jack Drury is day to day with an upper body injury. For the Devils, Timo Meier is day to day and Jonathan Bernier is out with a hip injury. NHL predictions today are calling for a close game, with both teams fighting for crucial points in this second round matchup. It's sure to be a thrilling game, with the outcome possibly hinging on the smallest details. Tune in to see who will come out on top as the Devils take on the Hurricanes tonight at 8 p.m. EDT in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Devils: Offensive Analysis

In their first game against the Hurricanes, the Devils struggled to generate any type of offensive momentum, only scoring one goal. They will need to step up their offensive game if they want a chance to even the series on Friday. Luckily, the Devils have some top offensive performers on their team, including Jack Hughes who has 43 goals and 56 assists, and Erik Haula who has scored six goals with two assists in the last 10 games. However, the team will need more than just these players to step up if they want to compete with the Hurricanes. The Hurricanes have a solid defense and goaltending, so the Devils will need to find ways to create scoring chances and capitalize on them. This includes taking advantage of power play opportunities, as they struggled to convert on their only power play chance in the last game. NHL picks experts and computer predictions may not be favoring the Devils in this game, but the team has the potential to surprise and come out with a win if they can get their offense going. Bettors looking for the best NHL bets today can consider taking a chance on the Devils if they believe they can turn things around in game two. Overall, the Devils will need to step up their offensive game if they want a chance to compete with the Hurricanes in the playoffs. Look for players like Hughes and Haula to lead the charge and generate some much-needed scoring.

Devils: Defensive Analysis

The New Jersey Devils will need to step up their defensive game in game 2 of their second-round matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes. Despite their impressive record this season, the Devils struggled in their last matchup against the Hurricanes, allowing five goals and only scoring one. To improve their defensive performance, the Devils should focus on shutting down Carolina's top performers, Martin Necas and Sebastian Aho. They will also need to limit the number of penalties they take, as their high penalty minutes in recent games have put their defense under pressure. Fortunately, the Devils have one of the best goaltenders in the NHL in Jonathan Bernier. While he is currently out with a hip injury, backup goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood has proven to be a capable replacement. Overall, the Devils have the defensive capability to turn things around and even up the series against the Hurricanes. NHL experts and computer predictions may be leaning towards Carolina, but with their stout defense and powerful offense, the Devils are poised to make a strong showing in this game. Look for New Jersey to make a statement with a big defensive effort in game 2.

Hurricanes: Offense Analysis

The Carolina Hurricanes are heading into game two of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 lead against the New Jersey Devils. The Hurricanes have a powerful offense, which makes them a tough team to beat. Experts' NHL picks and computer predictions all favor the Hurricanes in this matchup. Carolina's offense has been impressive all season, with Martin Necas as one of their top performers with 28 goals and 43 assists. Sebastian Aho has also been a standout player for the Hurricanes, scoring five goals and adding five assists over the last ten games. The Hurricanes have a record of 49-5-5 in games where they score at least three goals, a testament to their strong offensive capabilities. On the other hand, the Devils have Jack Hughes and Erik Haula leading their offense. Though Hughes has 43 goals and 56 assists for the Devils, the team has gone 19-6-4 in one-goal games. However, this isn't enough to match up against the Hurricanes' offense. Therefore, the best NHL bets today are on the Hurricanes to maintain their lead and win game two against the Devils. NHL picks and parlays all point towards the Hurricanes to outscore their opponents. The Hurricanes have the upper hand with their strong offense, and with the support of their fans in Raleigh, they are one step closer to the next round of the playoffs.

Hurricanes: Defensive Analysis

The Carolina Hurricanes will be looking to build on their fantastic defensive performance in game one of the second round of the NHL playoffs against the New Jersey Devils. The Hurricanes conceded just one goal in the 5-1 victory and had an impressive 20 blocked shots throughout the game. Led by defenseman Dougie Hamilton, who has 12 points in his last 10 games, the Hurricanes have been one of the strongest defensive teams in the league this season. Their penalty kill ranks third in the league, and their disciplined style of play has led to them giving up the fifth-fewest goals per game. However, the Hurricanes will have to be wary of the Devils' potent offense, led by Jack Hughes, who has 99 points in the regular season. The Devils have averaged 3.3 goals per game in their last 10 games and will be looking to bounce back after their disappointing defeat in game one. The Hurricanes will also have to manage without key defenseman Jake Gardiner, who is out with a hip and back injury. However, they still have plenty of depth on defense, with players like Jaccob Slavin, Brett Pesce, and Brady Skjei all capable of stepping up in his absence. Overall, the Hurricanes' strong defensive play, combined with their disciplined style of play, should see them put in another solid defensive performance in game two. 

Injury Report

Injuries can often have a significant impact on the outcome of any game, and the second-round playoff matchup between the New Jersey Devils and Carolina Hurricanes is no exception. The Hurricanes will be without several key players due to various injuries. Ondrej Kase is out due to a concussion, Jake Gardiner is out due to hip/back issues, Max Pacioretty has an Achilles injury, and Teuvo Teravainen is out due to a hand injury. Additionally, Andrei Svechnikov is out for the season due to a knee injury, and Jack Drury is day-to-day with an upper body injury. On the other hand, the Devils have only two injuries to contend with. Timo Meier is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, and Jonathan Bernier is out due to a hip issue. The absence of some of these key players on both teams could significantly impact the way the game plays out. It will be important for both teams to adjust and make the necessary changes to compensate for the loss of their injured players. 

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