The New Jersey Devils will be on the road as they take on the Carolina Hurricanes in an Eastern Conference and Metropolitan Division NHL game on Tuesday, December 20.
The Devils are doing extremely well as they're leading the Metropolitan Division with a 21-8-2 record. However, they're riding a five-game losing streak after coming off a 4-2 home loss against the Florida Panthers on Saturday.
Carolina is second in the Metropolitan Division with a 19-6-6 record. They are on a five-game winning streak and are coming off a 3-2 home win on Monday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
This will be their first of four games between New Jersey and Carolina, with the next game happening on New Year's Day.
New Jersey Devils vs. Carolina Hurricanes Odds
FanDuel Sportsbook: $2,500 No Sweat First Bet
New Jersey Devils vs. Carolina Hurricanes Match Details
Fixture: New Jersey Devils vs Carolina Hurricanes
Date & Time: Tuesday, December 20, 2022; 7:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC
New Jersey Devils vs. Carolina Hurricanes Key Stats
The Devils have done well on the offensive side of the ice, scoring 107 goals this season, the 11th-most in the NHL. They are average on the power play, scoring 19 power-play goals in 95 attempts (20%). They have a great player in center Jack Hughes, who has 36 points (16 goals, 20 assists).
Vitek Vanecek is expected to be in the net, and he's doing extremely well this season. He's 12-3-2 with 2.37 goals allowed per game and a .912 save percentage. Defensively, the Devils are second in the league, giving up just 77 goals. They're not doing well at all in killing penalties, killing 79 of 98 (80.61%).
Carolina, meanwhile, has been a struggling offensive team as they have posted 92 total goals, which ranks 23rd in the NHL. They are less than average in terms of power plays as well, going 19 out of 104 (18.27%). Center Marcus Necas is their best player with 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) and should be a force in this game.
Pytor Kochetkov will be starting inside the net and is doing extremely well with a 9-4-1 record and a save percentage of .923 and 2.01 goals given up per game. Carolina's defense has been elite as they are allowing 81 goals, which is fifth in the sport. They're also average at killing penalties, as they have killed 85 out of 107 power play attempts against them (79.44%).
New Jersey Devils vs. Carolina Hurricanes Betting Prediction
These teams are trending in two different directions and that will be showcased here. Looking at their respective offenses as of late, the Devils have scored 1.33 goals in their last three games while the Hurricanes have been averaging three goals in their previous five games.
Carolina has won six of their previous seven home games against New Jersey, so go with the Carolina Hurricanes to pick up another win and extend their winning streak.
Prediction: Carolina Hurricanes ML (-126)
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