Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head matchups and other factors that may play in. Today, we are looking at the New Jersey Devils traveling to Raleigh to take on the Carolina Hurricanes in this round of NHL Predictions. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions as the 2024-25 season continues to roll.
NHL Predictions
New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes, Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC
Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: Bally Sports South, MSGSN, ESPN+
2023-24 Regular Season Series: Carolina won (2-0-1)
These two teams meet up having very different schedules so far. New Jersey took part in the first games of the season in Prague against the Buffalo Sabres (while Carolina was still playing preseason games) and has participated in five games already this season, going 4-1. Meanwhile, Carolina has only had one game, a 4-1 home opener loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. They were supposed to play the next day in Tampa again, but that game was postponed due to Hurricane Milton. This matchup will also see some ex-Hurricanes in Dougie Hamilton, Erik Haula and the more recent Stefan Noesen return to Carolina. Brett Pesce is also a Devil but is not likely to play yet due to injury suffered at the end of last season.
Carolina Looking to Get to their Game
The Hurricanes opening game was an interesting one to watch for Carolina. But not necessarily in a good way. It was Rod Brind’Amour‘s first regulation loss in season openers since taking over as coach. At even strength, Carolina did ok defensively and scored their only goal. Otherwise, they really couldn’t generate anything offensive at all and at times looked like a team a little lost on the ice. When it got to special teams, things were arguably worse. The power play, again looking fairly lost, went 0/4 while the penalty kill went 2/6. Giving up six power plays to a Tampa Bay team filled with power play producers is not a recipe for success.
Overall, with the exception of maybe the third line and Andrei Svechnikov, Carolina is looking to forget that one and move forward. Even Brind’Amour stated that he had no idea what he was watching in that one. As Carolina still adjusts with new faces and lines, they will look to get to the system better in this one. It is anyone’s guess who will start in net here as both Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov seem equally likely to take the spot between the pipes.
New Jersey Continuing to Ride their Season Opening Good Vibes
Expectations are high for New Jersey this season. They had a big offseason marked by acquiring netminder Jacob Markstrom, defencemen Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon, and depth forwards Stefan Noesen and Paul Cotter. They rode that momentum into the 2024-25 season by getting two back-to-back victories over the Sabres in Prague. That has continued as they now boast a 4-1 record. One of the big stars for the Devils has been their third line of Haula, Noesen and Cotter. It was Noesen who got the NHL started with the first goal of the 2024-25 season. Coming off of a victory Monday against Utah in which Jake Allen started between the pipes, Markstrom will likely take the start as the non-starter Monday.
NHL Predictions: Hurricanes Welcoming the Devils for Games Two and Six of the Season
At baseline, this should be a tight matchup between two teams who could challenge for the top of the Metro Division. However, with New Jersey already in full swing of the season and riding pretty high, and Carolina still trying to figure out their game, the Hurricanes may have a tough outing in this round of predictions. The Hurricanes are at home which historically helps a fair amount for Carolina. Especially when it comes to matchups. But either way, the crowd should be ready for a battle.
Prediction: Devils win 3-2 in regulation
When it comes to odds, we like Seth Jarvis to score anytime for Carolina at +220 according to FanDuel. But taking Stefan Noesen to score anytime against his old team at +550 may turn to a better reward.
Main Photo Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
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