Devils vs Hurricanes NHL Spread/Handicapping
Headline: Devils vs. Hurricanes – Someone`s Losing Streak Will Come to an End
Two struggling Eastern Conference teams and former Division leaders meet in an effort to right their own ships on Thursday night when the New Jersey Devils head to Raleigh to take on the Carolina Hurricanes. The Devils have lost three straight to fall out of a playoff spot in the East while the Carolina Hurricanes have lost four straight to fall behind the Winnipeg Jets in the Southeast.
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New Jersey Devils (13-11-2-4) at Carolina Hurricanes (15-12-1-1)
When: 7:00 PM ET, Thursday, March 21, 2013
Where: PNC Arena, Raleigh, North Carolina
Broadcast: NHLN-US, MSG PLUS 2, FS-CR
Devils vs. Hurricanes Betting Lines from Sportsbettingonline.ag
New Jersey Devils +1½ -285 +107 Ov 5 -126
Carolina Hurricanes -1½ +240 -118 Un 5 +114
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This is the third and final meeting of the season between the teams – Carolina has won both so far and has totalled 10 goals in those two wins.
The big news for the New Jersey Devils ahead of Thursday night`s game is the fact that Martin Brodeur may return to action after being out of action since February 21 – his team has really missed him!
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New Jersey went 3-8-2 in the 13 games without him and they are giving up an uncharacteristic 2.67 goals per game this season – a stat that has ballooned since Brodeur went on IR. Johan Hedberg has been the keeper that has taken over – he managed just an ugly .886 save % age in Brodeur`s absence.
For the Devils, they have struggled at times to score goals – it is the same old thing in New Jersey. Ilya Kovalchuk has averaged a point per game in his last 21 but during the three game losing streak names like Patrik Elias and Alex Ponikarovsky have gone pointless and Andy Greene has not registered a point in his last five.[ad-4437448]
We all know that the Devils will struggle to score goals. The trick for them is to keep the puck out of their own net – something that will be a whole lot easier if Martin Brodeur does indeed return to the lineup.
The Carolina Hurricanes just can`t seem to get their game going against the weaker NHL teams. Tampa Bay and Florida have owned them so far this season – their latest setback came Tuesday against a Panthers team that has just eight wins on the season.
The Canes now sit two points behind Winnipeg in the Southeast and are precariously close to dropping out of the top eight in the East.
The Canes had been a decent offensive club so far this season with an average of 2.90 goals per game. But the offense has dried up of late. Juri Tlusty who had four goals in the two wins against the Devils this season is pointless in his last three games overall, Jay Harrison is pointless in four, Jussi Jokinen and Jeff Skinner have been held off the score sheet in their last five games and Jamie McBain is pointless in eight.
There are far too many ice-cold Canes at the moment for success. The power play has also been a sore spot – just 1 for 16 lately and 13.1 % on the year.
Defensively, Carolina appears to be adjusting to life without Cam Ward. Dan Ellis, Ward`s replacement hasn`t tasted victory lately but has played well – he is 0-1-1 with a 1.94 GAA and .949 save % age in his last two games.
They will be without their ice-time leader defenseman Justin Faulk however – a big blow for the defensive corp.
Betting Prediction
A few trends to consider:
• NJ are 10-2 in their last 12 Thu. games.
• NJ are 3-10 in their last 13 overall.
• Over is 18-7-7 in NJ last 32 vs. Southeast.
• Over is 19-7-3 in CAR last 29 vs. Atlantic.
• Under is 8-3-1 in CAR last 12 Thu. games.
• CAR are 8-20 in their last 28 vs. Atlantic.
• Home team is 20-8 in the last 28 meetings.
• NJ are 4-9 in the last 13 meetings in Carolina.
The Carolina Hurricanes are in a free-fall and home has not exactly been a haven for them this season. They are just 7-7 on home ice so far. The return of Martin Brodeur to the lineup should give the Devils a boost – enough to get them back in the win column. Brodeur is a difference-maker and Thursday night should prove it.
Pick: New Jersey Devils +107
