New Jersey Devils vs Carolina Hurricanes Picks and Predictions December 27th 2024

New Jersey Devils vs Carolina Hurricanes December 27th 2024

Planning on watching today’s Hurricanes and Devils game? Catch the action at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, as the Devils hosts this showdown at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under for this matchup is currently set at 5.5 goals and the Devils are the -1.5 favorite to win at home vs. the Hurricanes.

Carolina vs. New Jersey Key Information

• Teams: Hurricanes at Devils
• Where: Prudential Center Newark
• Date: Friday, December 27th
• Betting Odds NJ -134 | CAR +110 O/U 5.5

The Hurricanes Can Win If…

With a 4-2 win over the Capitals, the Hurricanes improved to 21-12-1. Carolina covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 6 goals matched the pre-game line.

Carolina scored first, but the Capitals responded with two goals in the first period. The Hurricanes then scored three unanswered goals, including an empty-netter, to secure the victory.

Carolina’s offense fired 45 shots on goal in their 4-2 win over the Capitals. Dmitry Orlov led the way with two goals, bringing his season total to three. Martin Necas added his sixth goal of the season and picked up two assists, giving him 12 assists this year. Andrei Svechnikov sealed the game with an empty-netter, his sixth goal of the season.

The Hurricanes scored once in the first period, added two more in the second, and secured their final goal with 9 seconds left in the game. Carolina had 14 giveaways but didn’t capitalize on any power play opportunities.

Carolina’s defense gave up two late goals in the first period, but they shut out the Capitals in the second and third, leading to a 4-2 win. Pyotr Kochetkov made 19 saves with a 90.5% save percentage, while the defense added 7 takeaways and 10 hits.

• Carolina has put together a record of 1-2 in their last three games (regular season). This includes going 1-2 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 1-2.
• Across Carolina’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 5-5. Their record against the puck line in this stretch is 4-6 to go along with an over-under mark of 3-6-1.

The Devils Can Win If…

New Jersey fell to 23-11-3 after a 3-0 loss to the Flames. The Devils, favored by -1.5 goals, failed to cover the puck line. The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, but the teams combined for just 3.

All of the scoring came in the third period, with the Flames finding the net at 5:34, 5:06, and 3:15. New Jersey managed 22 shots on goal but couldn’t find the back of the net.

New Jersey’s offense was shut out in their 3-0 loss to Calgary, despite putting 22 shots on goal. The Devils struggled with giveaways, committing 19 in the game.

New Jersey failed to score in any period, marking the first time this season they’ve been shut out.

New Jersey’s defense held strong through two periods, but they gave up three goals in the third, including an empty-netter. The first came at 14:26, followed by another at 14:54. The Devils’ defense finished with 5 takeaways and 22 hits, while their goalie made 29 saves with a 93.5% save percentage.

• New Jersey has put together a record of 2-1 over their past three games. In these games, they have a 2-1 record vs the puck line and an over-under mark of 0-3.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, New Jersey has a record of 7-3. In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 6-4 and an over-under mark of 0-10.

The Lean

When making a moneyline pick, my choice is the Devils to come out with a win against the Hurricanes while playing at home. Considering the moneyline odds at -134, I’m placing my bet on the Devils to win outright.

When making a puck line pick, we’re backing the Devils to win and cover. Watch for the Devils to win this game by multiple goals over the Hurricanes.

If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 5.5 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.

Stingy Devils Face Hurricanes in Start of Home-and-Home Series

The New Jersey Devils, leaders of the Metropolitan Division, aim to continue their stingy defensive play as they open a home-and-home series against the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night in Newark, N.J. With both teams pushing for division supremacy, this matchup promises to be a compelling contest between high-powered offenses and disciplined defensive systems.

Devils Riding Defensive Momentum

New Jersey heads into the series with wins in five of its last six games, including back-to-back shutouts just before the NHL’s holiday break. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom has been instrumental, posting consecutive shutouts against the Rangers (5-0) and Penguins (3-0). The Devils’ defense has been airtight, setting a modern NHL record by holding opponents to fewer than 20 shots on goal in seven consecutive games.

Key Performers:

• Jack Hughes: The Devils’ offensive leader added two goals and an assist in the victory over the Rangers, bringing his season total to 25 goals and 38 assists.
• Timo Meier and Dawson Mercer: Both contributed multi-point performances in the last outing, showcasing New Jersey’s depth.
• Jesper Bratt and Luke Hughes: The duo combined for four assists against the Rangers, continuing their strong recent play.

Coach Sheldon Keefe:
“Whether it’s having the puck well and managing it well or closing space when we don’t have it, it’s just a really tremendous buy-in and commitment from our guys.”

Hurricanes Looking to Rebound

The Hurricanes, sitting in third place in the Metropolitan Division, enter the series having lost two of their last three games, including a 5-2 setback to the Nashville Predators on Monday. Carolina has struggled with consistency on its current road trip, and coach Rod Brind’Amour emphasized the need for greater physicality and commitment.

Key Storylines:

• Offensive Leaders Needing Spark:
  Carolina averages 31.6 shots per game, but center Martin Necas, their leading scorer with 44 points, is currently mired in an eight-game goal drought. His recent struggles have left the Hurricanes searching for scoring options beyond their top stars.
• Bright Spots in Recent Play:
  Despite their issues, veterans Jordan Staal and Sebastian Aho provided a late spark in the loss to Nashville, scoring goals 40 seconds apart to briefly rally the Hurricanes.

Coach Rod Brind’Amour:
“We just as a group weren’t hard enough to play against for the majority of the game, and we got what we deserved.”

Matchup to Watch

• Devils’ Defense vs. Hurricanes’ Shot Generation:
  The Devils have excelled at limiting shots, but Carolina’s aggressive, high-volume shooting offense will put that streak to the test. Whether New Jersey can maintain its defensive structure against a relentless attack will likely determine the game’s outcome.

What’s at Stake?

This game holds significant implications for both teams as they jockey for position in the Metropolitan Division. A win for the Devils would further cement their lead, while a victory for the Hurricanes could narrow the gap and provide a confidence boost.

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Prediction

With New Jersey’s defensive discipline and recent form, the Devils have a slight edge heading into this matchup. However, Carolina’s ability to generate offense and their desperation to rebound after recent struggles make them a dangerous opponent.

Prediction: Devils 3, Hurricanes 2 (OT)