The New Jersey Devils and the Carolina Hurricanes meet in Game 5 of an Eastern Conference first-round, best-of-7 series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs Tuesday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (TBS / Max). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Devils vs. Hurricanes odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Series: Hurricanes lead 3-1

The Hurricanes had mixed results in Game 4 in New Jersey Sunday, winning 5-2 to cash as a moderate favorite (-180) as the Over (5.5) cashed for the first time in this series. However, the team also lost G Frederik Andersen to an upper-body injury in the second period on contact with Devils RW Timo Meier. G Pyotr Kochetkov steered the ship the rest of the way, preserving the win.

Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said the oft-injured Andersen was being re-evaluated back in Raleigh Monday. It’s likely Kochetkov will be in the crease for the Hurricanes for the first elimination game of the series.

In the Game 4 victory, RW Andrei Svechnikov had his second career hat trick in the playoffs. He is the only player in Carolina Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers franchise history to notch three goals in a single playoff game, and he has accomplished the feat twice. He also had 3 goals in a playoff game Aug. 3, 2020, in “The Bubble” against the New York Rangers in a qualifying-round game.

The Hurricanes posted 35 hits in Game 4, while the Devils checked in with 31. The Canes were much better at the faceoff dot, winning 58.6% in the circle, while New Jersey had 21 blocked shots to only 17 for Carolina.

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Devils at Hurricanes odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:11 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Devils +225 (bet $100 to win $225) | Hurricanes -275 (bet $275 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Devils +1.5 (-120) | Hurricanes -1.5 (+100)Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: +105 | U: -125)Devils at Hurricanes projected goalies

Jacob Markstrom (26-16-6, 2.50 GAA, .900 SV%, 4 SO – regular season) vs. Pyotr Kochetkov (27-16-3, 2.60 GAA, .898 SV%, 2 SO – regular season)

Markstrom let in 4 goals on 28 shots Sunday, with 2 coming off the stick of Svechnikov. The latter also added an empty-net goal to make franchise history. One of the goals allowed by Markstrom came on the power play. The 4 goals allowed were his most since coughing up 7 goals on 23 shots in a 7-2 home loss against the Boston Bruins.

With Andersen looking unlikely for Game 5, Kochetkov is expected to get the start. He played a career-high 47 games in the regular season, winning a career-best 27 victories, although his GAA (2.60) and SV% (.898) were the worst of his NHL career. Kochetkov steps in with a 1-4-0 record, 3.73 GAA and .870 SV% in 2 starts and 7 total NHL playoff appearances.

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Devils at Hurricanes picks and predictionsPrediction

Hurricanes 3, Devils 1

The Hurricanes (-275) will set you back nearly 3 times your potential return, and that’s way too expensive for not nearly enough reward.

There is a little bit of doubt surrounding the Hurricanes with the goaltending situation, so there’s that. And, Carolina was 1-1 in elimination games last season, including a 3-2 OT loss against the New York Islanders in the first round in Game 4 before doubling up the Isles at home, 6-3, in Game 5. The Canes are just 4-5 in the past 9 tries when they can eliminate an opponent.

AVOID.

The HURRICANES -1.5 (+100) are the play if you like Carolina at home. It should be a tight, defensive game, but Carolina could get a late empty-net goal to secure the win, helping it advance to the second round. This is a much better value than just taking Carolina straight up.

The UNDER 5.5 (-125) is the lean in this elimination game, but go with a half-unit play at best.

We’re not going to see fire-wagon hockey, as that’s just not what these teams are about. The Under is 3-1 in this series, and with New Jersey on the road, and with its season on the line, we’re going to see the Devils take it awfully safe.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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