NHL Betting Odds & Preview for Friday – Avalanche at Hurricanes

The Colorado Avalanche (37-18-7) lock horns with the Carolina Hurricanes (35-23-4) in a key West-East battle at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. The Avalanche have picked up the pace lately, winning four in a row, although only one team during the winning streak is in serious contention for a postseason spot. Still, they're outscoring the opposition 9-4 during the four-game winning streak behind G Pavel Francouz

Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes (35-23-4) are in a bit of a tailspin, losing Tuesday's game against the Dallas Stars by a 4-1 score. It was their first game back in North Carolina after their emotional win last Saturday in Toronto behind emergency backup goaltender David Ayres. The Canes struggled to incorporate their new pieces from the deadline into the fold, while also maintaining any semblance of chemistry. In addiition, they're down to third goalie Alex Nederjkovic, who was hung out to dry on several occasionals in that loss to Dallas.

Colorado Avalanche at Carolina Hurricanes
Date and Time: Friday, February 28, 2020, 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: PNC Arena, Raleigh, North Carolina
NHL Betting Online Odds at FanDuel: Hurricanes -120, Total 6
Stars at Bruins TV Coverage: Local

Odds provided by FanDuel (IN, NJ, & PA only)
Odds Subject to Change (T&C's Apply, 21+)

Colorado Avalanche at Carolina Hurricanes Betting Odds Overview

The Avalanche and Hurricanes met back on Dec. 19 in Denver and Carolina came away with a 3-1 road win at Pepsi Center as short 'dogs. Unfortunately for the Hurricanes, the winning goalie from that night, G James Reimer, is on the shelf and unavailable. In this series there are some distinct trends that bettors might want to follow. The Avs are 2-7 in their past nine trips to Raleigh, the home team is 13-5 in the previous 18 meetings, and the underdog is 5-2 in the past seven. In addition, the under is 4-0 in the past four meetings, and 7-0-1 in the previous eight contests in Carolina.

Colorado Avalanche Current Form

The Avalanche have rattled off four straight wins, and they're a perfect 6-0 in the past six games on the road. In addition, the Avalanche have fared well in their past eight against the Eastern Conference, coming away with six wins in the past eight on the road. They've also made a habit of stringing together victories, winning seven of their past eight overall after a victory. 

Carolina Hurricanes Current Form

The Hurricanes have been up and down lately, but they have some trends in their favor, too. The Hurricanes might want to petition the NHL to move them to the Western Conference, as they're 32-13 in the past 45 vs. the West. Carolina has also won 17 of the past 22 against Central Divsion foes, while going 5-0 in the past five following a loss of thre or more goals, and 7-0 in the past seven after a loss at home by three-plus goals.

Avalanche to Watch

The Avalanche haven't had a lot of success on the offensive end, but F J.T. Compher has enjoyed a hot stretch, posting a pair of goals with an assist across the past three outings. He also has six shots on goal and two power-play goals. F Gabriel Landeskog is good for two goals, five points and a plus-5 rating across the past five contests, too. 

 On the other end of the specturm, F Ryan Graves is looking to turn things around. He has just one goal and one assist over the past seven wiuth a plus-2 rating and 14 SOG. D Sam Girard has also struggled, posting just one assist with six shots on goal across the past five contests. F Valeri Nichushkin has also lost his way lately, going scoreless with an even rating and four SOG across the past three.

Hurricanes to Watch

Hurricanes F Sebastian Aho has rattled off points in 13 consecutive games, a new franchise record since relocation from Hartford. He has been even hotter in the past nine, going for nine goals and 14 points with an even rating and 36 shots on net while averaging 19:34 of ice time during the nine-game stretch. Aho is averaging 1.56 points per game over the past nine. His partner in crime, F Andrei Svechnikov, has rolled up four goals, 11 points, a plus-1 rating and 28 SOG with two game-winning goals across his past nine appearances.

Jaccob Slavin has managed five assists and a minus-1 rating with eight shots on goal across the past five outings. Captain F Jordan Staal is good for a goal, three points and 10 shots on goal over his past four outings, too. Unfortunately for the Canes, F Teuvo Teravainen hasn't done much, going for a goal and a minus-2 rating in the past four outings with 12 SOG. D Jake Gardiner is scuffling at the offensive end, too, posting just one assist and a plus-1 rating with nine SOG over the past seven.  F Ryan Dzingel has been blanked in seven in a row with just five SOG and a minus-2.

Colorado Avalanche at Carolina Hurricanes Selection Summary

These teams were both buyers at the NHL trade deadline earlier in the week, and each have designs on not only making the postseason, but going on a deep run. The Avalanche have won just twice in their past nine trips to Raleigh, and the home team is 13-5 in the previous 18 meetings overall. Of course, trends are made to be broken. The visitors won the first meeting when Carolina escaped Colorado with a win earlier in the season. The underdog is 5-2 in the previous seven tangles in this series. In addition, while the under is 4-0 in the past four meetings, and 7-0-1 in the past eight battles in Raleigh, the over is 9-3 in Carolina's past 12, and 5-1 in the past six. Remember, they're currently down to their third-string goalie making just his second NHL start of the season in Nedeljkovic.

Avalanche at Hurricanes Free Pick and Score Prediction

Avalanche (+100)
Avalanche 4, Hurricanes 3