Two of the NHL’s top defenses are set to face off at PNC Arena on Tuesday, as the New Jersey Devils (21-8-2) are on the road to take on the Carolina Hurricanes (19-6-6). New Jersey is coming off a 4-2 loss against the Panthers on Saturday, their fifth defeat in a row.
The Devils conceded a power play goal while failing to take advantage of their own power play opportunities. Erik Haula and John Marino both scored once for the Devils. Haula added an assist to lead the team in scoring. Akira Schmid only had 25 saves on 28 shots against (.892%) in the loss.
Carolina is playing their last of four games at home after a 3-2 win over the Penguins on Sunday, their fifth win in a row. Brady Skjei, Derek Stepan, and Jordan Staal each scored once for the Hurricanes. Pyotr Kochetkov saved 23 of 25 shots.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Hurricanes won three of the four games between the teams last season, including a 6-3 victory in their final meeting in April, their third straight win against New Jersey.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi led Carolina with three points (1G 2A). Pavel Zacha led New Jersey with two points (0G 2A). Antti Raanta got the win, saving 27 of 30 shots (.900%).
FACING OFF
New Jersey is averaging 3.45 goals per game for the season, sixth in the NHL, and they are taking on a Hurricanes team that is allowing just 2.61 goals a game (5th).
Meanwhile, Carolina has found the net 2.90 times a game on average, 24th in the league, and the Devils are holding opponents to 2.48 goals per game (3rd).
Both teams average more shots/game than most teams in the league. New Jersey ranks No. 2 with 35.1 attempts, while Carolina’s 34.8 average ranks fourth.
When it comes to stopping shots, the Devils have been more successful with a team save percentage of .911% (13th), while the Hurricanes have stopped .905% of shots as a team (18th).
The Devils’ 18.95% power play percentage ranks 25th in the league, while the Hurricanes are 26th with a conversion rate of 18.27%. In terms of defending power plays, New Jersey has the league’s 11th-ranked PK% at 80.61%, while Carolina is 15th at 79.44%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 36 points this season, Jack Hughes is the top skater for the Devils. He has 16 goals and 20 assists in 31 games. In the net, Vitek Vanecek (12-3-2) is New Jersey’s top goaltender. He has a 2.37 GAA and a .912% save percentage.
Martin Necas and Andrei Svechnikov lead the Hurricanes in scoring with 30 and 29 points, respectively. Necas has 13 goals and 17 assists in 31 games, while Svechnikov has 17 goals and 12 assists.
Kochetkov (8-1-4) has the best goals against average for Carolina at 2.01, third-best in the league. He has a save percentage of .923%, fifth-best.
HOME AND AWAY
New Jersey is 11-1-1 away from Prudential Center this season. Carolina has won four straight at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Carolina Hurricanes (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
