Bruins vs Hurricanes Game 3 Odds and Pick – Aug 15

• The Bruins and Hurricanes playoff series is tied at 1-1
• Both teams have scored six goals in seven-plus periods of competition.
• Read our Game 3 preview and best bet for the Bruins vs Hurricanes playoff series

When the Carolina Hurricanes and Boston Bruins collide in Game 3 of their playoff series Saturday (August 15, noon ET) both teams understand this series isn’t like the 2019 Eastern Conference Final series when Boston swept Carolina.

Based on an impressive Game 2 victory, the Hurricanes have now gone from underdog to slight favorite, though the Bruins vs Hurricanes odds are about even for Game 3.

Boston Bruins vs Carolina Hurricanes August 15 Odds

Odds as of August 14

Fifteen months ago, the Bruins swept the Hurricanes, outscoring them 17-5. This year’s series is tied 1-1 and both teams have scored six goals in seven-plus periods of competition.  Counting a 2-0 loss to the Bruins in the regular season, the Hurricanes had lost six in a row to them dating to the 2019 playoffs.

But whatever mental impediment the Hurricanes created about the Bruins would seem to be gone. The Bruins probably view the Hurricanes differently after their strong performance in Game 2.

Pastrnak Health an Issue for Bruins

David Pastrnak was “unfit to play” in Game 2 after apparently injuring himself while celebrating a goal in Game 1.  Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy has indicated that Pastrnak’s injury is “day-to-day.”  Cassidy said the Bruins wouldn’t know whether Pastrnak could play Game 3 until close to game time.

“But we don’t believe it will be a long-term,” Cassidy said.

The loss of Pastrnak is devastating because he was a 48-goal scorer this season and a Hart Trophy finalist. When he is gone, highly skilled David Krejci can move into the top line and perform effectively. But that creates a hole in the No. 2 line that the Bruins can’t fill.

Bruce Cassidy said the Bruins hope David Pastrnak's injury is just a "day-to-day thing" but that it'll "probably be right down to the game time again on Saturday." https://t.co/4Ocyw8xJJs

— WEEI (@WEEI) August 14, 2020

Should James Reimer Be Carolina’s Starter in Game 3?

Based on the regular-season and how Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour played his goalies against the New York Rangers, we could pencil in Petr Mrazek for the Game 3 start against the Bruins.

Mrazek played 40 games in the regular season, compared to 25 for Reimer. But Reimer is 2-0 in this postseason while stopping 70 of 73 shots for a .959 save percentage. It probably matters that he was in net when the Hurricanes finally cleared the Boston hurdle for the first time.

Brind’Amour surprised people when he started Reimer in Game 3 against the New York Rangers in the qualification round. He might surprise everyone again by deciding to ride Reimer for a while.

James Reimer beats Boston #LetsGoCanes pic.twitter.com/sX9nyAnefO

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) August 14, 2020

Rask Not Himself in Bruins’ Net

It’s fair to wonder what’s up with Tuukka Rask in this postseason. He is now 1-3 in these playoffs with a 2.57 goals-against average and .904 save percentage.

In two games against Carolina, he has stopped 48 of 54 shots for a .889 save percentage.

As a comparison, consider Rask’s career playoff save percentage is .926

When you listen to him talk, it sounds as if he isn’t overly excited about playing hockey during a pandemic. He doesn’t seem himself.

“To be honest with you, it doesn’t really feel like playoff hockey because there, there are no fans,” Rask said after losing Game 2. “It’s kind of like you’re playing an exhibition game.”

The Bruins have to be concerned about those comments.

Tuukka Rask is trying to kill me. On @985TheSportsHub dot com: https://t.co/zKwlraR1aq

— Ty Anderson (@_TyAnderson) August 14, 2020

How to View the Series Now

Before the playoffs began, teams in the Eastern Conference, except the Boston Bruins, were concerned about having to face the Hurricanes.

Now even the Bruins are concerned.

McAvoy takes a hard hit from Svechnikov, and Chara has something to say to Svechnikov https://t.co/wHxUMzL1tm

— Tucker Boynton (@Tucker_TnL) August 14, 2020

The Hurricanes are challenging to play against because they are relentless. They pursue the puck with intensity and drive. And they possess the skill required to cash in on turnovers. Plus, it feels like this could be a breakthrough postseason for Andre Svechnikov. His numbers: four goals, three assists, seven points, +7 plus-minus and 12 shots on goal.

The early read on the Bruins: Too many things are going wrong for this talented team and they aren’t as sharp as they were in the regular season.

Pick in Game 3: Hurricanes (-105)