Game 1 of the NHL’s Eastern Conference semifinals is Wednesday night from North Carolina as the Metropolitan Division champion Carolina Hurricanes hosts the second-place New Jersey Devils with the Hurricanes as slight favorites.

Nitrobetting is here to turn your betting slapshots into winning goals with betting tips and news coverage throughout the 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. This time, let’s break down the upcoming Game 1 second-round showdown between the New Jersey Devils and the Carolina Hurricanes.

Devils vs. Hurricanes Game 1 2023 NHL Playoffs Second-Round Information

• When: Wednesday, May 3, 2023, 7:00 PM ET
• Where: PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC
• TV: ESPN, SNE, SNO, SNP, TVAS
• Radio: WFAN 660 AM (Devils) // 99.9 The Fan (Hurricanes)
• Live Stream: NBA League Pass
• NBA Betting Odds: Devils (+1.5) / Hurricanes (-1.5)

READ MORE: Panthers vs. Maple Leafs 2023 NHL Playoffs Odds and Game 2 Preview – May 4th

Why Bet on the New Jersey Devils?

New Jersey, in the playoffs for the first time since 2018, lost the first two games of its first-round series against the New York Rangers but then switched to rookie goaltender Akira Schmid and won the series in Game 7 at home on Monday, 4-0. Schmid made 31 saves for his second shutout in 3 games for New Jersey, which advanced for the 1st time since 2012.

Schmid became the 10th rookie netminder to record multiple outings in a single series and first since Matt Murray (2 in 2017 SCF w/ PIT); the only one with more is Frank McCool (3 in 1945 SCF w/ TOR). Schmid posted a 1.38 goals-against average and .951 save percentage to outduel 2021-22 Vezina Trophy-winner Igor Shesterkin – a stretch that also included a 23-save shutout in Game 5 at Prudential Center. Schmid joined Ilya Bryzgalov (Game 1 & 2 of 2006 CSF) and Hal Winkler (Game 1 of 1927 SF & Game 1 of 1927 SCF) as the third rookie netminder in Stanley Cup Playoffs history with consecutive home shutouts.

After New York had a pair of 5-1 wins in the opening two games in New Jersey against starter Vitek Vanecek, Devils coach Lindy Ruff switched to Schmid and the youngster was unbelievable.

“You’ve got to be ready if you get the chance, you know,” Schmid said. “And then you’ve got to take the opportunity and play well. Obviously the team helped me out a lot, making the transition a lot easier for me.”

Ondrej Palat, whose seven career Game 7s are the most among the Devils current roster, factored on two of four goals Monday. Michael McLeod and Tomas Tatar scored second-period goals in the series decider and Erik Haula and Jesper Bratt added insurance goals in the third. . The 32-year-old Haula finished the opening-round series with four goals and six points after closing out the regular season with eight points (six goals, two assists) in his last seven games.

Forward Timo Meier left at 5:39 of the third period after a hit from Jacob Trouba and did not return. Coach Lindy Ruff did not have an update postgame. Meier was the team’s top trade acquisition from San Jose. Replays showed clear contact from Trouba’s shoulder to Meier’s head, but the Rangers blueliner was not assessed a penalty of any kind on the play.

The Rangers went 0-for-4 on the power play in Game 7. They were 1-for-18 with the man-advantage in Games 3-7 after going 4-for-10 in Games 1 and 2.

Why Bet on the Carolina Hurricanes?

Carolina advanced with a 2-1 OT win at the New York Islanders last Friday in Game 6. Paul Stastny scored the game-winning goal. After a giveaway by the Isles in their own end, Stastny got the puck deep in the corner and fired it quickly toward the front of the net, where it caromed in off Ilya Sorokin’s pad. Stastny had three goals in the series. Sebastian Aho (four goals, three assists) led the Hurricanes with seven points in the first round against the Islanders.

Frederik Andersen made 33 saves. Antti Raanta got the nod in the first five games of the series, but after Raanta posted a 2.98 GAA and .894 save percentage in his last four starts, Andersen saw his first action since April 13 and responded with a strong performance to send his team into the second round. It’s likely Andersen starts Wednesday but both could in the series.

“Definitely,” coach Rod Brind’Amour said when asked if the Hurricanes would consider using both goalies. “When both guys are playing the way they’re playing, it’s easy to consider that. If not, you’re a little less willing to do that. Clearly now, you’ve got two good options.”

Carolina went 2-2-0 against New Jersey this season. Aho had four points (two goals, two assists) in three games against the Devils, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi (two goals, one assist) and Stefan Noesen (one goal, two assists) each had three points in four games. Raanta started one game against New Jersey, making 24 saves in a 5-4 shootout win Jan. 1. Pytor Kochetkov started the other three.

Jesper Bratt led the Devils with six points (four goals, two assists) against Carolina this season. Jack Hughes had five points (three goals, two assists), and Dawson Mercer and Nico Hischier each scored two goals. Schmid didn’t play in the series.

New Jersey is 1-3 all-time in playoff series against Carolina, with its only win against the franchise coming in the 2001 Conference Quarterfinals (4-2 W). In their previous four matchups, the team that advanced made it to the Stanley Cup Final three times (NJD in 2001; CAR in 2002 & 2006).

Devils vs. Hurricanes Betting Trends

• Devils are 17-5 in their last 22 vs. Metropolitan.
• Devils are 7-3 in their last 10 games playing on 1 days rest.
• The totals went under in six of New York’s last eight games in general.
• Hurricanes are 39-15 in their last 54 home games.
• New Jersey are 6-2 in its last eight games as favorites to win.
• The totals have gone over in each of the last four games played in Jersey.

Devils vs. Hurricanes Game 1 Expert Betting Predictions

Hurricanes 3, Devils 2.

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