Carolina Hurricanes at Boston Bruins odds, picks and predictions
The Carolina Hurricanes (25-15-5) visit the Boston Bruins (29-8-9) on Wednesday. Puck drop at TD Garden is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Hurricanes vs. Bruins odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Hurricanes lost 5-2 at home ice against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday, and Carolina dropped 2 of the final 3 games of the homestand. The Over and Under have alternated in each of the past 7 games for Carolina. The Canes have won 4 straight on the road, while going 6-0-1 since Dec. 12.
The Bruins racked up a 4-1 win Monday night, cooling off the previously red-hot Winnipeg Jets. Boston has won 5 in a row, outscoring the opposition by a 25-10 margin since Jan. 13. At home, the B's have won 5 in a row, while the Over is 6-2 in the past 8 skates at TD Garden.
This is the 1st meeting of the 2023-24 regular season. Boston won the series 2-1 in 2022-23, with both victories coming in either overtime or a shootout. The Under is 3-1 in the past 4 meetings.
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Hurricanes at Bruins odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last update at 6:37 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Hurricanes +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Bruins -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Hurricanes +1.5 (-225) | Bruins -1.5 (+180)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -125 | U: +105)
Hurricanes at Bruins projected goalies
Spencer Martin (3-8-1, 3.65 GAA, .887 SV%) vs. Linus Ullmark (14-5-2, 2.80 GAA, .913 SV%)
Martin was claimed off waivers from the Columbus Blue Jackets to give the team a better option behind Antti Raanta with a back-to-back set coming Wednesday in Boston and Thursday home to New Jersey. Pyotr Kochetkov remains sidelined in the concussion protocol, and Frederik Andersen is battling a blood-clotting issue. The team had been using Yaniv Perets as an emergency backup to Raanta for the past week.
Ullmark allowed 4 goals on 21 shots in a 9-4 victory against the Montreal Canadiens last time out on Saturday. He is 3-1-0 with a 2.73 GAA and .899 SV% in 4 starts in January.
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Hurricanes at Bruins picks and predictions
Prediction
Bruins 5, Hurricanes 2
Moneyline
The BRUINS (-135) are a bargain on home ice if Martin does, indeed, get the starting nod for the Hurricanes (+110) for his team debut. The B's have been red-hot, and are a good play against Carolina, even if Raanta gets the start. Martin allowed 4 goals on 27 shots in his final start with the Blue Jackets, which just happened to be against the Bruins. He also lost Dec. 3 in Boston, allowing 3 goals on 28 shots.
The Canes have been hot at home, but the Bruins have been hot everywhere, and have picked up plenty of victories over the years in Beantown against Carolina, too.
Puck line/Against the spread
The BRUINS -1.5 (+180) are a strong play on the puck line. The confidence in the play is contingent on whether or not Martin or Raanta goes. Confidence in the B's is extremely high, and preferred over the moneyline play, if Martin gets the start. If Raanta gets the call, Boston is still the play, but go a little less aggressively.
Over/Under
The OVER 5.5 (-125) is the play, and it requires repeating. If Martin is in the net, go a little heavier on the Over play. He allowed 3 or more goals in his final 4 starts with the Blue Jackets, while yielding 3 or more goals in 7 of the past 8 outings. Again, that includes 7 goals on 5 shots against the B's, too.
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