NHL Pick: Hurricanes -1.5 (-120) at Bet365
Using OddsTrader’s computer picks, we placed tonight’s best bets based on the information generated.
Two teams heading in opposite directions come head to head in Arizona tonight following one day of rest for both teams prior to this NHL matchup.
The Hurricanes have won 7 of their last 10 and sit second overall in the Eastern Conference behind the uncatchable Boston Bruins. Elsewhere, Arizona is just four points ahead of last place in the Western Conference and has gone 7-8 in their last 15 games.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Arizona Coyotes
Friday, March 3, 2023 – 09:30 PM EST at Mullett Arena
Hurricanes Hope to Kick Losing Streak
Although going on a 0-2 losing streak isn’t the end of the world over the length of a full NHL season, when you are challenging for first place in the division, going 0-3 is never a good thing.
Carolina is currently ahead of the NJ Devils by one point in the Metropolitan Division but has played one game less, meaning they could open the gap to three points potentially.
Averaging 3.34 goals per game and allowing the league’s second-best 2.56 goals per game has been the key to Carolina’s success this season. The Hurricanes have been a solid team all around. They are defensively solid and well-capable going forward.
Carolina hopes to lose this 0-2 streak which saw them suffer defeat as -500 favorites against the Anaheim Ducks and then -140 favorites against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Tonight the Hurricanes are -333 favorites and the last time these met the Hurricanes suffered a 4-0 loss, also as -333 favorites.
Coyotes Struggling
Although it might not look as bad from the outside, when we see Arizona has won 7 of their previous 15 games, we notice they were favorites in two of them and only 2 of the seven wins came against teams inside the playoff zone.
Arizona has a bottom-ten offense and defense and allows the second most amount of shots against them per game this season, currently allowing 35.37.
There is a 35-point gap between these two teams in the NHL standings and it’s worth noting. Although Arizona might be 14th and 4th last in the Western Conference, they would be 2nd last with their current record and only 5 points away from being last overall in the Eastern Conference.
Wins can make teams look better than they are at times, and luck plays a part but over time the true ability shines through. Right now, Arizona has not got that and they are already planning ahead for next season.
Stats and Trends
Carolina Hurricanes
- The total has gone under in 5 of Carolina’s last 5 games.
- The total has gone under in 4 of Carolina’s last 6 games against an opponent in the Western Conference.
- Carolina is 5-1 in their last 6 games against Arizona.
Arizona Coyotes
- · The total has gone over in 11 of Arizona’s last 16 games against an opponent in the Eastern Conference.
- · Arizona is 7-13 in their last 20 games against an opponent in the Metropolitan Division.
- · Arizona is 2-4 in their last 6 games.
The Pick
The NHL odds are not in Carolina’s favor as favorites this season but nonetheless, our computer does predict a 4-2 road win for the Hurricanes tonight. Given this fact, we are prepared to lay the -120 juice for the Hurricanes to cover the -1.5 PK line at -120.
The Hurricanes might have the 30th-worst ATS record, but it is worth noting Carolina has the 3rd best road form in the Eastern Conference and covered the spread in their previous two visits to Arizona.
Only once in the previous four months has Carolina lost three or more games in a row (end of November 2022), we don’t expect them to do so tonight.
Final Score Prediction: Carolina Hurricanes 4 – Arizona Coyotes 2
NHL Pick: Hurricanes -1.5 (-120) at Bet365
