Game 1 Devils vs Hurricanes Odds, Starting Goalies & Picks

• The Carolina Hurricanes host the New Jersey Devils in Game 1 of their NHL playoff series
• Just one point in the standings separated these teams, who split four games during the regular season
• Read on for all the odds and trends ahead of Wednesday’s matchup at PNC Arena

The New Jersey Devils will make their first appearance in the second round of the NHL postseason in over a decade when they visit the Carolina Hurricanes for Game 1 of their Eastern Conference playoff series on Wednesday night.

The Devils topped the New York Rangers in seven games to claim their first opening-round series win since 2012 while the Hurricanes needed just six games to get past the New York Islanders, and punch their ticket to the second round for the fourth time in five years.

Start time is set for 7:10pm ET at PNC Arena, with all the action televised on ESPN and Sportsnet.

Devils vs Hurricanes Game 1 Odds

Winners in five of their past six home dates, the Hurricanes enter Game 1 pegged as narrow -120 favorites on the Wednesday NHL odds. While the Devils look to Game 1 as +100 underdogs, they lead the way as slim -125 favorites in the NHL playoff series prices while Carolina lags at +105.

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Odds from BetMGM Sportsbook on May 2, 2023.

Devils vs Hurricanes Recent History

Wednesday’s Game 1 matchup marks the fifth meeting of the season between these Metropolitan Division rivals. These clubs split their four regular season clashes, with New Jersey claiming victory in their two most recent tilts including a 5-3 win in Carolina on January 10. This snapped the Devils’ four-game losing streak when visiting Carolina.

While just a single point separated these teams in the standings this season, four of their past five matchups have been settled by multi-goal margins. The Devils outscored Carolina by an overall 8-3 margin in their two recent wins.

New Jersey Devils Betting Outlook

The Devils needed to dig deep to overcome a 2-0 series deficit in the first round. Outscored by a 10-2 margin in the first two games of the series, the Devils rebounded in the wake of a goaltending change, as rookie Akira Schmid too over between the pipes from beleaguered starter Vitek Vanecek. Schmid is expected to get the call in Game 1 after surrendering more than a single goal just once in his five first-round appearances.

What a Stanley Cup Playoffs debut for Akira Schmid 🔥

-2 shutouts
-Won 4 out of 5 games since debuting in Game 3
-.951 save percentage
-Carried the Devils to their first playoff series win in 11 years pic.twitter.com/ZMmgoVNs1B

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 2, 2023

Schmid’s standout performance extended what has been a stingy run for the Devils, who have limited opponents to two or fewer goals in eight of their past 12 overall contests. Up front, Erik Haula provided the offensive spark in the first round with a team-high four goals.

However, this club could benefit from more production from their top shooters after Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Dougie Hamilton potted just two total goals versus the Rangers.

Carolina Hurricanes Betting Outlook

The Hurricanes had their hands full with the Islanders in their first-round series. Four of the six games in the series were settled by a single goal, including the Canes’ series-clinching 2-1 victory in Game 6, which went to overtime after Carolina evened things up with a third-period goal.

The Hurricanes also elected to make a goaltending change during the first round, opting to give the Game 6 start to Frederik Andersen after Antti Raanta allowed all three goals on just 22 shots in a 3-2 loss in Game 5.

What a performance from Frederik Andersen last night!👏@Canes | #NeverCompromise | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/eatETK7TMd

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) April 29, 2023

Andersen is once again expected to get the call after making 33 saves in Game 6. However, Andersen has compiled a middling 3-4-1 record despite allowing just 2.38 goals per game over that stretch. The ex-Leaf has failed to record consecutive wins in 14 playoff starts since 2018, going 6-8 over that stretch, including just two wins on home ice.

Goals have come at a premium for Carolina, with Sebastian Aho accounting for a quarter of the team’s 16 total markers in the first round. The Canes have only scored one first-period goal over their past three contests.

Devils vs Hurricanes Game 1 Prediction

With the Devils featuring a youthful lineup with limited playoff experience, little was expected of them in the first round against the veteran Rangers. However, this club proved that it is ready to contend while sticking to a stingy defensive game plan.

The steady play of Akira Schmid will continue to be key to this team’s success, and if the 22-year-old can maintain the form he flashed against New York, the Devils will be well-positioned to claim first blood on Wednesday night.

The Pick: Devils (+100); UNDER 5.5 (-135)