Bruins vs Hurricanes Prediction and Odds – Best Bet for Sunday Afternoon Hockey

• The Boston Bruins travel to Carolina to take on the Hurricanes in a battle of Division leaders in the Eastern Conference
• Both played on Saturday, with Carolina barely favored in the second half of both teams’ back-to-back
• See the Bruins vs Hurricanes odds as these two Stanley Cup hopefuls square off

We may be seeing a potential Eastern Conference Final preview on Sunday.

After winning against the Lightning on Saturday afternoon, the Boston Bruins (56-11-5) were able to clinch the Atlantic Division title. Not surprising when you consider the historic pace at which they’ve been racking up points.

The Carolina Hurricanes (47-16-8) were in action on Saturday too. They welcomed the Maple Leafs to town and barely came away with a win. While Carolina is on top of the Metropolitan Division, they’re in a dog fight with the Devils.

Sunday’s matchup with the Bruins is crucial in the standings for Carolina, and is far more than just a potential Eastern Conference Final preview. Puck drop is set for 5:00 pm ET.

Bruins vs Hurricanes Odds

With both teams playing on Saturday, Carolina opens as the favorite by virtue of home ice advantage. Both teams were at home, and this game sits in the middle of four out of five games at home for the Bruins. So they won’t be too worn out from travel. Three of Boston’s last four entering Saturday had hit six or higher.

The Bruins sit first in the Stanley Cup odds, but the Hurricanes aren’t far behind. With Boston at +420, the Hurricanes are third at +750. Carolina is in the middle of a tough stretch of their schedule. After playing the Rangers (+1200), Leafs (+950) and Bruins, they get the Lightning (+1200) next.

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Odds as of March 25th from FanDuel Sportsbook. Be sure to check out the FanDuel Sportsbook Promo Code ahead of puck drop!

Hurricanes Slumping Without Svechnikov

Two weeks ago Andrei Svechnikov went down with a knee injury, forcing Rod Brind’Amour to throw his lines into a blender. So far the results have been mixed.

The Hurricanes are 4-4 since Svechnikov went down, including the game he got injured. They’ve been shut out twice and held to one goal in their loss to the Rangers, but they’ve also scored five goals in three of their wins.

So the offense has been hit and miss.

Both Leafs goals are direct results of the same thing, a failure to manage the puck in the offensive zone.

Thew Hurricanes MUST play a certain way to be successful. In the last period and a half they aren't. In a way, they're lucky it's 2-2

— Adam Gold (@AGoldFan) March 26, 2023

Sebastian Aho has six points in his last eight games, five of them goals. Three of them came in the win over Philadelphia and a goal and an assist came on Saturday. Leading scorer Martin Necas has been better with seven points in that same stretch, but it would help if they were getting any production out of Jesse Puljujarvi.

He has zero points in eight games since being acquired from Edmonton.

Bruins Turn Attention to Playoffs

Saturday was a big day for the Bruins. Their 2-1 win over the Lightning not only added to Tampa’s recent troubles, but Boston clinched the Atlantic Division in the process.

The teams traded first period goals with Patrice Bergeron scoring his 27th of the season, and Garnet Hathaway scored in the second. His 12th of the year stood as the winner.

Linus Ullmark made 26 saves in the victory as he is the runaway favorite in the Vezina Trophy odds.

"We enjoy it for now. We'll talk about it a little bit but, we'll get to work again"

Garnet Hathaway on the Bruins winning the Atlantic Division@adampellerin | #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/xhEymNOiUD

— NESN (@NESN) March 25, 2023

The biggest question for Boston on Sunday is whether there will be an emotional letdown. And while they’re a veteran team that’s been flexing since the puck dropped in October…it’s possible.

The Bruins will be a hard team to gauge down the stretch. With the Presidents’ Trophy essentially locked up, do they start resting their stars? Or do they feel that rust becomes too much of a worry entering the playoffs?

Bruins vs Hurricanes Pick

Simply put, the Hurricanes have to play with urgency on Sunday. Boston? Not so much.

The Devils continue to win and put pressure on the Canes. Sure Carolina was able to fend off Toronto on Saturday, but it’s not a performance you would call convincing. They need to continue to win. The pressure is on.

For that reason, back a Carolina team fighting to hold on to top spot in their division.

The Pick: Carolina Hurricanes (-111)