Hurricanes vs Bruins Game 2 Odds and Pick – Aug 13
- The Bruins have beaten the Hurricanes in five consecutive playoff games going into Game 2 (8:00 pm ET) of their best-of-seven series
- Carolina’s Sebastian Aho, with three goals and six assists in four games, is the leading scorer among players still in the playoffs
- See the odds and betting analysis from Kevin Allen in the story below
The Boston Bruins go into Game 2 (Thursday, Aug. 13, 8:00 pm ET) of their best-of-seven series against the Carolina Hurricanes comfortable that they still have a switch to flick to raise their level of play for important games.
Carolina Hurricanes vs Boston Bruins August 12 Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Puckline | Total Odds at DraftKings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Hurricanes | +120 | +1.5 (-238) | O 5.5 EVEN |
| Boston Bruins | -143 | -1.5 (+190) | U 5.5(-125) |
Odds as of August 12.
After playing uninspired hockey in the round robin games, the Bruins looked more like themselves when they downed the Hurricanes 4-3 on Patrice Bergeron’s goal at 1:13 of the second overtime.
It was noteworthy that the Bergeron-centered top line produced two of the team’s four goals. The trio of Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pasternak hadn’t been productive in the round-robin. In Game 1, Bergeron and Pastrnak both scored and the unit registered six points and eight shots on goal, despite the fact that the Hurricanes gave the line special defensive attention.
Oddsmakers seemed to appreciate that the Bruins looked sharper in Game 1; they went from -133 moneyline favorites in Game 1 to -143 in the Game 2 Hurricanes vs Bruins odds.
Hurricanes Can Take Encouragement from Game 1
Although the Bruins carried the play for most of Game 1, the Hurricanes could have won that game. They had a couple of prime chances to win in overtime.
They were more competitive in Game 1 than they were 15 months ago when the Bruins recorded a four-game sweep in the Eastern Conference Final. In that series, the Bruins outscored Carolina 17-5 in the four games.
On Wednesday morning, the Hurricanes scored first and then came from behind twice to tie the score. When the Bruins took a 2-1 lead and were then awarded a power play, the Brock McGinn scored shorthanded 21 second later to tie the score.
The Hurricanes were out-shot 40-28, but Carolina’s top line of Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, and Teuvo Teravainen (two points, six shots) looked as dangerous as Boston’s No. 1 line.
UPDATED: Boston Bruins fight past Carolina Hurricanes for 4-3 win in two overtimes of Game 1 https://t.co/LoDg66DDXI
— Chip Alexander (@ice_chip) August 12, 2020
No Worries About Tuukka Rask
On Monday, Rask was said to be “unfit to play” in practice. But he looked fine in making 25 saves in Game 1. He wasn’t tested severely. The Bruins play an aggressively stingy defensive game, led by the monstrous defenseman Zdeno Chara who reaches 7-feet on skates. But Rask’s steadiness adds to the frustration top scorers feel when they play Boston.
Rask is underappreciated by Boston fans, but his contributions to Boston success are critical. With a .929 save percentage this season, Rask enjoyed one of his best seasons. By contract, Hurricanes goalie Petr Mrazek posted a .905 save percentage. The Bruins have a distinct advantage in goal.
Tuukka Rask: "These round robin games or whatever they were, you just shake the rust off and try to get back to the team game. It doesn't matter what seed you are because you need to beat them all to advance. Now it's on to the real hockey"
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) August 9, 2020
What the Hurricanes Want from Game 2
Coach Rod Brind’Amour’s Hurricanes aren’t going to beat the Bruins with a one-and-done offensive attack. The ‘Canes have to force their way inside the Bruins’ defensive coverage and make the Boston crease look like Manhattan at rush hour. Carolina needs traffic, rebounds and deflections.
You don’t beat the Bruins with single shots, even from prime scoring areas. You beat the Bruins with a flurry of chances.
The #NHLBruins pulled out a tough 4-3 OT win over the Carolina Hurricanes to take an early 1-0 series lead. @jessicabelmosto has your takeaways! #letsgocanes #stanleycup https://t.co/2GPDNcuDSn
— Puck Prose (@Puck_Prose) August 12, 2020
Betting Analysis
It was important to the Bruins to come out in Game 1 and show they are still the dominant team they were when they won the Presidents’ Trophy. Their last regular-season game was five months ago, and you have to wonder whether the Bruins were worried they weren’t the same team.
Milbury on BOS goal – ” It kind of looks like a set play. I don’t know, maybe it’s random.”
It is a set play. Basic reverse by wingers. Bergeron line uses it occasionally but not often. More often they have Marchand at top of circle for quick-strike. Sometimes Pasta off wall. pic.twitter.com/F7DqWPqRno
— Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) August 12, 2020
Their offense looked sluggish last week and their defensive coverage was dull. From the Bruins’ perspective, it was encouraging to see David Krejci and the team’s No. 2 line taking charge on several occasions. Krejci is as skilled as anyone on the top line. When he is at the top of his game, the Bruins are usually in command.
Game 2 pick: Bruins (-143)
Kevin Allen has covered most major events, including the Olympics, Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final. He covered the NHL for USA Today from 1986-2020, receiving the Lester Patrick Award in 2013 and was honored by the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2014 with the Elmer Ferguson Award.
