Hurricanes vs. Bruins Prediction
The Carolina Hurricanes and the host Boston Bruins will clash tonight in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Can Carolina continue its surprising postseason run in positive fashion and open this series with a win?
Game Snapshot
1 Carolina Hurricanes at 2 Boston Bruins
Thursday, May 9, 2019
TD Garden at 8:08PM ET
TV: NBCSN
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Bruins are a -145 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Hurricanes are a +125 underdog, while the total is set at 5.5 goals. As of Thursday morning, 69 percent of public bets are being placed on host Boston. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Hurricanes sweep past Islanders
Carolina downed New York 5-2 at home last Friday night to earn a 4-0 series sweep in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Hurricanes fell behind 2:30 into the contest, but evened it at 1-1 two-plus minutes later on a Sebastian Aho power play goal assisted by Teuvo Teravainen and Justin Faulk. It remained that way until the 17:49 mark of the second period when Teravainen gave Carolina the lead on a goal assisted by Warren Foegele and Aho. Just over a minute later, Greg McKegg made it 3-1 on a goal with assists going to Brett Pesce and Jordan Martinook. Justin Williams pushed the lead to three goals with 11:09 left in the second via a goal assisted by Jordan Staal and Nino Niederreiter. Andrei Svechnikov made it 5-1 with 4:47 to play in the third period with an assist going to Faulk. The Islanders scored a consolation goal with 1:09 left to cut it to 5-2. Curtis McElhinney surrendered two goals on 28 shots in the win.
Bruins shut out Blue Jackets
Boston downed host Columbus 3-0 Friday night in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals to win the series 4-2. The scoreless tie wasn’t broken until the 7:47 mark of the second period on a David Krejci goal off assists from Jake DeBrusk and Connor Clifton. The Bruins pushed it to 2-0 with 11:02 to play in the third period on a Marcus Johansson goal with assists going to Charlie Coyle and Danton Heinen. David Backes made it 3-0 less than two minutes later as his goal was assisted by Torey Krug and Krejci. Defenseman Charlie McAvoy will be suspended for Game 1 after an illegal check in Game 6. Tuukka Rask was spectacular in posting the shutout as he turned away all 39 shots between the pipes.
NHL Betting Trends
Carolina
The Hurricanes are 39-17 in their last 56 overall. The road team is 2-7 in the last nine meetings.
Boston
The favorite is 7-2 in the last nine meetings. Boston is 5-0 in its last five conference finals games.
Prediction:
Carolina has had more time off and while that can lead to a bit of rust, it can also help at this stage to rest up during the grueling nature of the postseason. The Hurricanes have been awesome during the playoffs and if they were ever to catch the Bruins off guard, it would be right here in Game 1. It won’t be easy, but I’m taking a shot on the underdogs in Game 1.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: CAROLINA HURRICANES +125