The Carolina Hurricanes will try and clinch the series as they take on the Boston Bruins in Game 6 at the TD Garden. It's time to continue our NHL odds series with a Hurricanes-Bruins prediction and pick.
The Hurricanes demolished the Bruins 5-1 in Game 5 on Tuesday. Jaccob Slavin started things off by firing a shot that trickled underneath Jeremy Swayman's blocker side and into the net, crossing the line by an inch to give the Hurricanes a 1-0 lead. Later, goalie Antti Raanta made a ridiculous save, stopping a point-blank backhanded shot by Brad Marchand to keep the Hurricanes in the lead. It proved timely because Tony DeAngelo rewarded that effort with a one-timer for a power-play goal to put the Canes up 2-0. Raanta kept performing at an elite level as he made another brilliant stop, robbing David Pastrnak of a power-play goal in the second.
Later, Seth Jarvis scrambled on the ice and flung the puck off a Boston defender and Swayman to propel the Hurricanes to a 3-0 lead. Jarvis struck again in the third when he plucked a rebound into the net to make it 4-0 Carolina. Finally, the Bruins got on the board when Connor Clifton snuck one past Raanta. However, the Hurricanes did not let any more in and cruised to a 5-1 victory to take a 3-2 series lead.
Raanta played remarkably, making 33 saves for the Hurricanes. Vincent Trocheck finished with a goal and two assists. Additionally, Teuvo Teravainen notched three assists while DeAngelo scored a goal and two assists. Sebastian Aho also contributed two assists. Pastrnak, Marchand, and Patrice Bergeron combined for 14 shots, but none got past Raanta. The Bruins will fight for their season to try and take the series back to Carolina.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Hurricanes-Bruins NHL Playoffs odds:
NHL Playoffs Odds: Hurricanes-Bruins Odds
Hurricanes: +1.5 (-230) ML (+105)
Bruins: -1.5 (+188) ML (-126)
Over: 6 (-104)
Under: 6 (-118)
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Why The Hurricanes Could Cover The Spread
Carolina did everything right offensively, but they capitalized on golden opportunities. The Hurricanes went 2 for 5 on the power play, showcasing how elite they are on the extra man. Additionally, they had 22 takeaways, as they were all over the ice, not relenting one inch or giving the Bruins any space to skate. Carolina blocked 21 shots, which is amazing, considering how many saves Raanta finished with. Boston shoots the puck a lot, and Carolina has been able to defend well at home throughout the series. Their play on the road has been another story.
In three home games, the Hurricanes have averaged five goals per game while allowing an average of 1.66 goals per game. Alternatively, they averaged two goals a game while allowing 4.5 goals per game in the two games at the TD Garden. They managed only six blocked shots in Game 4 and lost the game despite owning the faceoff circle. What was the main difference? They could not convert on the power play at all in Games 3 and 4, as they combined to go 0 for 10 on the extra-man attack. Meanwhile, the Bruins went 4 for 14 on the power play over two games. It has been a day and night difference for the Hurricanes when they have played the Bruins at home and then faced them on the road.
The Hurricanes will cover the spread if they can attack the net and score in bunches as they did in Game 5. Additionally, they cover if they can convert on the power play while limiting the chances for the Bruins. Carolina will be advancing if they can once again stop Pastrnak, Marchand, and Bergeron from inflicting significant damage.
Why The Bruins Could Cover The Spread
Boston could see their season end tonight if they fail to play to the highest level. The Bruins did not convert any power-play chances in Game 5, and their top scorers failed to score. Now, the Bruins must step up or step out, with the season on the line.
Pastrnak makes this team go, and it is not difficult to see the pattern. He struggled in Games 1 and 2 before exploding in Games 3 and 4. He managed six shots on the net but could not convert any of the opportunities. Pastrnak needs to contribute for the Bruins to have a chance. In addition to Pastrnak, the Bruins need to defend better. Their defense left Swayman to rot too many times in Game 5. They must adjust to keep up with Carolina's swift and savvy scoring threats.
The Bruins will cover the spread if Pastrnak, Marchand, and Bergeron can revive their scoring touches and get the puck past Raanta. Also, Boston covers if they excel on the extra man and prevent Carolina from getting too many chances.
Final Hurricanes-Bruins Game 6 Prediction & Pick
Boston's season is on the brink. However, they have played exceptionally well at home. The Bruins managed to win Games 3 and 4 despite not beating the Hurricanes all season. An elimination game will not faze them. Boston might lose the series, but it will do just enough to not go down at the TD Garden. The Bruins win, extending the series to a deciding seventh game in Carolina.
Final Hurricanes-Bruins Game 6 Prediction & Pick: Bruins Moneyline (-126)
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