The Eastern Conference’s two best defensive teams from the first round square off in Round 2 when the Carolina Hurricanes, with the second-shortest Stanley Cup odds at the BetMGM online sportsbook, take on the Philadelphia Flyers.
Rick Tocchet’s team continued their fairytale run, improving their record to 22-8-1 in the last 31 games after the 4-2 series win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Will the Flyers pull off the upset, or are the Hurricanes bound for their third Eastern Conference final in the last four seasons?
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Carolina Hurricanes Prediction: 2nd Round NHL Playoff Preview
The Hurricanes didn’t trail once in their sweep of the Ottawa Senators, an incredible stat given the run the Sens were on entering the playoffs.
Much of that success is because of their second line and Frederik Andersen.
Andersen rinsed and repeated from last year’s first round, when he allowed seven goals in four games against the New Jersey Devils.
Against the Sens, Andersen allowed five goals and leads the playoffs in goals saved above expected (7.6).
The trio of Jackson Blake, Taylor Hall, and Logan Stankoven was arguably the more impressive storyline. Stankoven scored in each game, including netting the opener in the first three, and that line accounted for seven of the Hurricanes’ 11 first-round goals.
Stankoven’s brilliance secured him a spot among the Conn Smythe Trophy favourites.
The second line’s disproportionate output is inconsistent with the Hurricanes’ regular season, when they boasted the most balanced attack, featuring seven 20-goal scorers.
So, it’s only a matter of time before the other lines earn their keep.
While the Flyers’ speed, self-belief, and defensive acumen could present numerous issues, the Hurricanes’ depth and playoff experience will prove too much for the upstart underdogs.
Flyers vs. Hurricanes Game 1 Odds, Spread, Over/Under
Flyers vs. Hurricanes Season Series
The Hurricanes won three of four regular-season encounters. However, every game required extra time, with three decided in a shootout and one in overtime.
Flyers vs. Hurricanes Season Stats
| Team | Goals For | Goals Against | Power Play % | Penalty Kill % | Home Record | Away Record |
| Flyers | 2.67 | 1.83 | 11.8 | 84.2 | 2-1 | 2-1 |
| Hurricanes | 2.75 | 1.25 | 13.3 | 95.2 | 2-0 | 2-0 |
Flyers vs. Hurricanes: Who’s Hot?
Hall leads the Hurricanes with seven points (2 goals, 5 assists), while Stankoven has five points (4 goals, 1 assist), and Blake has four points (1 goal, 3 assists).
Andersen has a .955 save percentage and 1.10 goals-against average (GAA).
Dan Vladar also enjoyed an outstanding opening round, with a .937 save percentage, 1.61 GAA, and the second-best goals saved above expected (6.9) behind Andersen.
Rasmus Ristolainen leads the Flyers with five points (1 goal, 4 assists), while Travis Konecny, Noah Cates, who scored the Game 6 overtime winner, and Trevor Zegras have four points each.
Flyers vs. Hurricanes Best Bets
I have the Hurricanes to win in six games. However, I expect the Flyers to capitalise on the Hurricanes’ rust and win Game 1.
Hurricanes to win series 4-2: +350
Over 5.5 games: -139
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