Two of the league’s top defenses are set to face off at PNC Arena on Tuesday, as the Carolina Hurricanes (25-8-7) play host to the New Jersey Devils (25-12-3). New Jersey is embarking on a five-game road trip coming off a 4-3 overtime win over the Rangers on Saturday. The Devils committed only two penalties in the game, holding New York without a power play goal.
Jack Hughes was the top goalscorer for the Devils with two goals in regulation. Vitek Vanecek had 31 saves in the win. Carolina dropped their third straight game, falling 4-3 (SO) to the Blue Jackets on Saturday. Max Pacioretty was the leading goal scorer for the Hurricanes, netting twice. Antti Raanta only had 15 saves on 18 shots against (.833%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Hurricanes have won both games between the teams this season, including a 5-4 (SO) victory in their most recent meeting on January 1, their fifth straight win against New Jersey.
Derek Stepan (2G 0A), Sebastian Aho (1G 1A), and Stefan Noesen (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Carolina. Jesper Bratt led New Jersey with three points (2G 1A). Raanta got the win despite allowing four goals on 28 shots (.857%).
FACING OFF
New Jersey is averaging 3.40 goals per game for the season, seventh in the NHL, and they are taking on a Hurricanes team that is allowing just 2.68 goals a game (5th). Meanwhile, Carolina has found the net 3.10 times a game on average, 20th in the league, and the Devils are holding opponents to 2.62 goals per game (3rd).
Both teams average more shots/game than most teams in the league. Carolina’s 35.9 average ranks first, while New Jersey ranks No. 3 with 34.9 attempts. When it comes to stopping shots, the Devils have been more successful with a team save percentage of .909% (14th), while the Hurricanes have stopped .904% of shots as a team (17th).
The Devils’ 19.84% power play percentage ranks 22nd in the league, while the Hurricanes are 23rd with a conversion rate of 19.72%. In terms of penalty killing, New Jersey has the league’s eighth-ranked PK% at 81.75%, while Carolina is 13th at 79.43%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 49 points this season, Hughes is the top skater for the Devils. He is among the league leaders with 26 goals (8th) and has added 23 assists. In the net, Vanecek (14-5-2) is New Jersey’s top goaltender. He has a 2.31 GAA, fifth-best in the league, and a .914% save percentage.
Martin Necas leads the Hurricanes in scoring with 38 points. He has 17 goals and 21 assists. Pyotr Kochetkov (10-3-4) has the best goals against average for Carolina at 2.20, second-best in the league. He has a save percentage of .919%.
HOME AND AWAY
New Jersey has won three in a row away from home this season. Carolina is 12-4-1 at PNC Arena this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Carolina Hurricanes (-145)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
