New Jersey (1-3) at Carolina (3-1)
- When: Apr 29 2025, 7:30 PM
- Where: Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC, USA
- TV: TNT
NHL Playoffs Game 5 Preview: Devils vs Hurricanes
Moneyline: Hurricanes -270 | Total: 5.5
Carolina Hurricanes Preview
The Hurricanes are one win away from advancing to the second round for the fifth consecutive year, and they’re heavily favored at home in Game 5 with a commanding 3-1 series lead. Carolina dominated Game 4 on the road behind a hat trick from Andrei Svechnikov, who appears to be rounding into top playoff form. After a challenging regular season, Svechnikov now leads the team in postseason goals and looks like a serious X-factor.
Carolina may have to close out the series without goaltender Frederik Andersen, who exited Game 4 after a collision with Timo Meier. Backup Pyotr Kochetkov stepped in and handled himself well, stopping 14 of 15 shots to help seal the win. If Kochetkov gets the start, expect the Canes to lean on their suffocating forecheck and disciplined defensive play to ease the pressure on their net.
If Carolina can continue to control the tempo and stay out of the penalty box, they’re in great shape to cover the puck line at -1.5 and hit the over in front of their home crowd.
New Jersey Devils Preview
New Jersey is on the brink of elimination and reeling from both injuries and missed opportunities. The Devils’ defensive corps is stretched thin with Luke Hughes, Brenden Dillon, and Johnathan Kovacevic all nursing injuries. Despite a gritty OT win in Game 3, Game 4 exposed their vulnerabilities—especially on the penalty kill and in transition.
The most glaring issue for the Devils remains their power play. After ranking third in the league during the regular season, they’ve gone ice cold in the playoffs, posting an 0-for-12 mark in the series with just 14 shots on goal. For a team that relies on speed and man-advantage opportunities, that lack of production has been costly.
Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier will need to step up offensively if New Jersey has any shot at extending the series. They’ll also need a strong bounce-back effort from goaltender Akira Schmid, who hasn’t been able to steal a game the way Carolina’s goalies have.
Betting Outlook & Final Score Prediction
The Hurricanes come into this one with momentum, home-ice advantage, and a red-hot Svechnikov. With or without Andersen in net, Carolina’s defensive structure and depth scoring should be enough to finish the job. New Jersey’s injury woes and lifeless power play make it difficult to trust them as a road underdog in an elimination game.
Final Score Prediction: Hurricanes 4, Devils 2
Best Bet: Hurricanes -1.5 (+100)
Lean: Over 5.5 (-103)
- NHL Odds source: MyBookie Sportsbook
