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NHL Odds, Projected Starting Goalies and Best Bet – Bruins vs Hurricanes

Ryan Bolta

by Ryan Bolta in NHL Hockey

Updated Oct 27, 2021 · 7:27 PM PDT

Frederik Andersen makes save for Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) eyes the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, Oct. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
  • The Carolina Hurricanes (5-0-0) host the Boston Bruins (3-2-0) on Thursday at 7pm ET on NESN
  • Frederik Andersen has started his tenure as Hurricanes starting goalie with five consecutive wins
  • Below are the odds and team previews to help settle on the best bet available

The Carolina Hurricanes owe the NHL schedule makers a big thank you.

They host Boston on Thursday night and have been handed a series of advantages thanks to the timing. The Bruins will travel for their second game in two nights and have confirmed starter Linus Ullmark will watch from the bench. Despite being a rested club with a perfect record on home ice, the odds makers only have the Hurricanes listed as a slim favorite.

Bruins vs Hurricanes Odds

Game Time Team Puck Line Total Moneyline
Thursday, Oct. 28 Boston Bruins +1.5 (-235) O 5.5 (-120) +110
7pm ET Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 (+190) U 5.5 (+100) -130

Odds as of October 27th at DraftKings

The NHL playoff odds show that both of these clubs are near locks to make the post-season. Boston sent Carolina home last year in five games and it would be great to see a rematch. For now, let’s take a deep dive into both teams and see who has the edge in late October.

Goalie Battle Heavily Favors Hurricanes

Frederik Andersen certainly seems to be enjoying life with his new team.

He signed with the Hurricanes in free agency, something both he and the team must be happy about. The deal is worth only $9 million over two years and so far has proven to be the biggest bargain of the off-season. Andersen enters Thursday’s tilt with a 5-0-0 record with a 1.60 goals against average and .946 save percentage.

Simply put, he’s been one of the best goalies in the league out of the gate.

With Tuukka Rask still unsigned, Boston is going with a tandem of Ullmark and youngster Jeremy Swayman. Ullmark has been the better of the two so far, but after losing to Florida on Wednesday he’ll get the night off to rest.

That leaves Swayman with the tough task of slowing down the powerful Hurricanes offense. He enters the game with a 3.03 goals against average and .885 save percentage. Factor in the defense in front of him playing on tired legs and this appears to be an uphill battle for the 22 year old.

Carolina Without Weakness Early In The Season

The goaltending has been great but that’s only one part of the Hurricanes story. Through five games they rank top five in goals for, goals against, power play, penalty kill and shots on goal.

The contract extension head coach Rod Brind’Amour earned with Carolina is proving, much like Andersen’s deal, to be worth every penny. His team has started the season on time and continually proves to outperform expectations.

Bruins vs Hurricanes Recent Results

Date Home-Away Money Line Puck Line Over/Under
8/19/20 BOS 2 – CAR 1 BOS (-156) BOS U 5.5
8/17/20 CAR 3 – BOS 4 BOS (-118) BOS O 5.0
8/15/20 CAR 1 – BOS 3 BOS (-105) BOS U 5.0
8/13/20 BOS 2 – CAR 3 CAR (+122) CAR U 5.5
8/12/20 BOS 4 – CAR 3 (OT) BOS (-131) BOS O 5.0

Three players in particular are worthy of extra attention against the Bruins. Forwards Andrei Svechnikov, Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen have combined for 22 points in the first five games of the season. All three are averaging more than a point per game and will be in prime position to take advantage of a tired Boston lineup.

Trust Hurricanes To Continue Win Streak

If all things were created equal, then the Bruins would probably be favorites over the Hurricanes. The thing is, not all things are created equal. Boston is playing on back to back nights, travelling and taking on an opponent that has looked like a strong Stanley Cup contender out of the gate.

NHL picks are never easy but this one seems to favor one team over the other. The smart play is taking Carolina on the money line but the value wagering on the puck line is too good to pass up. Take the Hurricanes to win by two, which happens to be what they’ve done in four of their five wins this season.

The Pick: Hurricanes -1.5 (+190)

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