Carolina Hurricanes at Arizona Coyotes odds, picks and predictions
The Carolina Hurricanes (30-17-5) and Arizona Coyotes (23-25-4) clash in a Friday battle in Tempe, the only NHL game on the night’s schedule. The opening faceoff at Mullett Arena is set for 9 p.m. ET (NHL Network). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Hurricanes vs. Coyotes odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Hurricanes are playing the middle contest of a 3-game road swing. They opened the trip with a 4-2 loss at the Dallas Stars Tuesday as minor underdogs (+103) — with the Under (6.5) hitting. The setback snapped a 5-game road winning streak and was also Carolina’s 1st regulation loss away from home since Dec. 9.
The Coyotes last played Wednesday, dropping a 3-1 home-ice decision as slight underdogs (+104) to the Minnesota Wild for a 7th-consecutive defeat — the Over/Under line was 6. Since Jan. 22, Arizona is 0-6-1.
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Hurricanes at Coyotes odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:59 p.m. ET.
Hurricanes at Coyotes projected goalies
Pyotr Kochetkov (13-9-3, 2.52 GAA, .902 SV%) vs. Karel Vejmelka (6-12-2, 3.36 GAA, .900 SV%)
Kochetkov started Tuesday and was touched up for 3 goals on 22 shots. He owns an .894 SV% over his last 6 games.
Vejmelka logged 17½ minutes of relief duty in Wednesday’s loss, yielding 1 goal on 13 shots. He owns a robust .932 SV% across 122 minutes since the All-Star break.
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Hurricanes at Coyotes picks and predictions
Prediction
Hurricanes 4, Coyotes 2
Carolina is 13-4-1 over its last 18 games. The Hurricanes are 7-1-0 across their last 8 games against the Coyotes.
Five-on-five expected-goals analysis would say if either team is too far over its skis in this matchup, its actually the Coyotes. The early price (-190) was quite good, but now it’s a bit steep at -225.
AVOID.
Add to Carolina’s road prowess, 5-on-5 strength, and series advantage an edge in special teams. The ‘Canes’ 27.5% power-play ranks 2nd in the NHL, and that unit is facing an Arizona club that ranks 2nd for most penalty minutes (12.3 per game) and is slightly below average on the kill (79.4%).
When playing on 2 days’ rest, Carolina is 8-4-0 and yielding just 2.58 goals per game. The Hurricanes and Coyotes met in Raleigh Jan. 27 with Carolina winning 3-1 behind a 39-11 shot advantage. The ‘Canes were big -226 favorites and the Under (6) cashed.
Vejmelka has been solid over 2 recent relief stints, but he has allowed 10 goals over his last 2 starts.
BACK CAROLINA -1.5 (+120).
Crisscrossing signals here. PASS.
