Bruins vs. Hurricanes Game 3 Betting Odds, Preview: Is Carolina Toast?

Bruins at Hurricanes Game 3 Betting Odds

• Bruins odds: +102
• Hurricanes odds: -112
• Over/Under: 5.5
• Time: 8 p.m. ET
• TV: NBCSN

After a tough-luck loss in Game 1, the Carolina Hurricanes no-showed in Game 2 and now find themselves down 2-0 against the Boston Bruins.

The Hurricanes were riding high coming into the Eastern Conference Finals, but things can change in the blink of an eye in hockey and now the Canes have their backs against the wall heading back home to Raleigh.

Carolina can draw on the fact that it has been in this spot before this postseason — the Canes were down 2-0 against the Capitals in Round 1 — but the Bruins are a tier above the Caps. It's one thing to be in a hole, it's totally another thing to be in a hole against a team of Boston's caliber.

For the Hurricanes to dig themselves out, they will need to find a way to stay competitive at 5-on-5. Carolina was able to do that in Game 1, but things came off the rails in Game 2.

Bettors should always be weary of crooked scorelines in hockey, but Boston's 6-2 win on Mother's Day was not a fluke. The B's dominated at 5-on-5 and had the Hurricanes chasing the game. Carolina hasn't looked that out of sorts in a long time.

Game 3 Betting Analysis

Carolina certainly wasn't helped by its goaltender, Petr Mrazek, in Game 2. The 29-year-old is an aggressive goaltender and against a team like Bruins, who often make the extra pass in search of a high-quality scoring chance, that aggressiveness has come back to bite Mrazek.

Curtis McIlhinney isn't a household name and I wouldn't say he's a huge upgrade over Mrazek in goal, but it's probably a good idea for the Canes to go with the journeyman in Game 3. McIlhinney was terrific in Round 2 after Mrazek got injured and his more conservative style could help settle things down for the Canes.

Whoever Rod Brind'Amour decides to play in Game 3, he needs to be in form because Tuukka Rask has been the best goalie in the playoffs and the Bruins have been terrific defensively.

The Hurricanes may get better looks on Tuesday night since they have last change and can match lines, but the B's are so good defensively that it's hard to expect Carolina being to able to put up any big numbers.

I do expect the Hurricanes to have more success at 5-on-5 in Game 3. The Canes are one of the league's best teams at even strength and they should improve at both ends of the ice at home.

According to The Action Network App, the Bruins closed as -155 favorites in Game 2 with the Hurricanes coming back at +140. Those odds implied the Bruins had a 59.3% chance of winning.

At the time of writing, the Hurricanes are -112 favorites for Game 3, with the Bruins listed at +102. Those odds give Carolina a 51.6% of winning, meaning the venue change has given Carolina approximately a 5.45% boost.

I was on Carolina in the first two games and have them as the right side for Game 3, but I'd suggest waiting to see how the market moves as puck drop draws nearer. I expect a lot of bettors to back Boston coming off the Game 2 romp.