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Bet365 bonus code NYPBET: Devils vs. Hurricanes NHL playoffs series odds, picks, preview

The Carolina Hurricanes are a big favorite over the New Jersey Devils in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Canes sit at -260 to win the series and are -130 to win it by multiple games. 

Those odds may strike you as a little wide considering these were two of the favorites to win the Eastern Conference for much of the season, but a lot has changed for both clubs in recent months and that has clearly impacted their outlook for the postseason.

Is the betting market underrating New Jersey’s chances in this best-of-seven series?

Jacob Markstrom and the New Jersey Devils are a big underdog in Round 1.
Jacob Markstrom and the New Jersey Devils are a big underdog in Round 1. Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

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Devils vs. Hurricanes series betting odds

TeamOdds
Devils+210
Hurricanes-260
Odds via bet365

Devils vs. Hurricanes betting preview

The most important thing to note for this series is the injuries.

Jack Hughes will miss the entire postseason for the Devils, while Jonas Siegenthaler is unlikely to play unless New Jersey goes on a run.

Dougie Hamilton has been out of the lineup for months, but New Jersey’s No. 1 defenseman is questionable to play in this series.

The best-case scenario is that the Devils will be without their best player and top shutdown defenseman for this best-of-seven set. 

Carolina doesn’t have any real health concerns ahead of Game 1. 

Logan Stankoven and the Carolina Hurricanes celebrate a goal against the Boston Bruins.
Logan Stankoven and the Carolina Hurricanes celebrate a goal against the Boston Bruins. NHLI via Getty Images

New Jersey’s injuries aren’t the only thing causing bettors to look away. The Devils have been mediocre for almost four months. 

The Devils are 18-21-4 since Christmas and boast -11 goal differential in that span. If it wasn’t for a splendid start, New Jersey would be golfing next week.

But here’s the good news: There is a path to success for the Devils in this series. 

The Hurricanes have been a terrific regular-season team for several years, but the Canes have repeatedly struggled to get over the hump in the spring due to the same issues. 


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Carolina doesn’t have enough finishing talent in its ranks, and the goaltending is still a question mark.

Those two issues didn’t haunt the Canes during the regular season, but when you change from an 82-game marathon to a best-of-seven series, the margin for error shrinks considerably, and the Hurricanes have had a lot of trouble overcoming that.

No team in the NHL knows better than the Hurricanes that it only takes one soft goal or one missed opportunity to change a series.

Devils vs. Hurricanes pick

The Hurricanes are the better team in this series. They’re healthier than the Devils. And they have home-ice advantage. 

But Carolina’s flaws, which have proven fatal spring after spring, are still there. And they’re real enough that it makes a bet on the Hurricanes at this price pretty hard to stomach.

If Jacob Markstrom can be a difference-maker, the Devils will have more than a puncher’s chance of pulling this upset.

The play: Devils +210 (bet365) 


Why Trust New York Post Betting

Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.


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