Hurricanes vs. Bruins Game 2 Betting Odds, Preview: Carolina Needs to Keep It 5-on-5

Carolina Hurricanes at Boston Bruins Game 2 Betting Odds

• Hurricanes odds: +133
• Bruins odds: -147
• Over/Under: 5.5
• Time: 3 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC

Special teams dictated Game 1 between the Bruins and Hurricanes, with Boston scoring twice on the power play en route to a 5-2 win. That scoreline certainly flatters the B's, who were down 2-1 entering the third period.

The Hurricanes were able to skate with the Bruins at 5-on-5. The two teams split the shot share at 5-on-5, while the Hurricanes generated more scoring chances but Boston created more high-danger scoring opportunities (8-4).

The Bruins were not unworthy winners, they created 1.96 expected goals at 5-on-5 compared to Carolina's 1.61, but this game was closer than the final score indicated.

Boston's defensive gameplan in the third period also paid dividends. Once the Bruins get a lead with the finish line in sight, it is very hard to catch them making a mistake and even when they do, Tuukka Rask has been there to bail them out.

The job gets tougher for the Hurricanes in Game 2 as the Bruins get top-pair defenseman Charlie McAvoy back. The Long Beach, Long Island native was suspended for Game 1 but will take his normal spot next to Zdeno Chara in Game 2.

Game 2 Betting Analysis

The Bruins closed as -147 favorites in Game 1 and that's right about where they sit around the market for Game 2, as of 10:30 a.m. ET.

I was pretty interested to watch the price for this game all week, expecting the line to move in the Bruins' favor after their 5-2 win in the opener. That still may happen, but this number has actually budged slightly towards Carolina this morning.

I thought Carolina was decent value in Game 1 and I'm happy to go back to the well at the same price for Game 2. There are clear edges for Boston in this series (goaltending, special teams), but if Carolina can get a better performance from its penalty kill and Petr Mrazek can stay with Tuukka Rask in goal, this is a pretty even matchup.

At the current odds (-147/+133), the odds imply that Boston has a 58.1% chance of winning Game 2. The Bruins are the likelier team to win, but if you think Carolina has better than a 42% chance of winning this contest, you should take a chance on the Hurricanes at that number. That's what I'm going to do.