NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs promo codes: Devils vs. Hurricanes odds, plus over $2,700 in bonuses

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On Wednesday, the puck drops on the Devils-Hurricanes series, determining which team will represent the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference final, and you can claim up to $2,700 in sportsbook bonuses by signing up via the below links.

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The Hurricanes edged the Devils by a point to win the Metropolitan Division but are considered underdogs by North America’s top four online sportsbooks.

Of the four remaining series, the Devils vs. Hurricanes represents the one with the finest margins and most negligible disparity, at least on paper.

While the Devils enjoyed a distinct offensive advantage in the regular season (fourth-best offense compared to the 15th-best), the Hurricanes were superior defensively (second-best compared to eighth-best.)

Carolina maintained its defensive excellence against the Islanders in the opening round, conceding the fourth-fewest goals against per game (2.50). The Hurricanes are one of the best teams at protecting their goaltender, whomever that may be. They also conceded the third-fewest high-danger chances (10) in the opening round.

Those paltry numbers are about as surprising as snowfall in a New York winter.

The Hurricanes’ culture, identity, and ability to make a deep postseason run is predicated entirely on their elite collective defense, especially after being decimated by injuries to Andrei Svechnikov, Teuvo Teravainen, and Max Pacioretty, the triumvirate expected to yield most of the team’s offensive production.

Somewhat surprisingly, the Devils’ defense decisively outshone their offense against the Rangers, although Igor Shesterkin had a significant role to play in that flip-flop.

New Jersey gave up the second-fewest high-danger chances (8) and the second-fewest goals against per game (2.43), bettering Carolina on both accounts.

Those already paltry numbers would look even more impressive if you exclude the Devils’ opening two postseason games, in which they conceded 10 goals. That’s when Lindy Ruff turned to rookie netminder Akira Schmid, who offered an unshakable poise and calmness well beyond his 22 years and 24 previous NHL starts.

Schmid won four of five starts with staggering numbers, aside from the Game 6 exception at Madison Square Garden. He had the second-best saves above expected (4.5), only inferior to his counterpart at the other end, Shesterkin.

He had the best save percentage for goalies who played more than one game (.951), the best goals-against average (1.38), and, aside from conceding five in 29 shots in Game 6, allowed just two goals on 113 shots. He also shut out the Rangers twice.

With his seemingly unflappable self-assurance, it’s not farfetched to think he’ll continue his exceptional play against the Hurricanes.

That leads to the monstrous elephant in the opposing locker room: Does Rod Brind’Amour turn to Frederik Andersen or Antti Raanta in Game 1?

Andersen, who steered the Hurricanes to victory in Game 6, has a point to prove after missing last season’s playoffs due to injury. He was outstanding in his solo Round 1 outing, allowing a goal on 34 shots, and will probably get the nod to open this series.

The Devils have the clear advantage up front, even if Timo Meier doesn’t fully recover from being shredded by Jacob Trouba.

Of all 16 teams to open the playoffs, New Jersey created the fourth-most high-danger shots (18) but only scored 17 goals. They had the fourth-least efficient power play (16.7%), the worst shooting percentage for shots on goal (5.1%), and the second-fewest goals per game (2.43).

Carolina’s offensive stats in Round 1 were comparable (2.67 goals per game, third-worst shooting percentage (5.78), sixth-most high-danger shots in a game less (15)). However, the Devils have the up-front speed, talent, skill, and offensive prowess to correct course and emulate their regular season success. Carolina, considering their injury woes, does not.

Look for the Devils to build on their first-round success and oust the Hurricanes in a long, grueling six or seven-game series.

This series shows all the signs of going the distance, with a negligible overall disparity between the two teams. The Devils have the offensive advantage, while the Hurricanes are the better defensive team.

The argument can be made for both teams between the pipes. That depends on how Schmid’s encore goes and whether Andersen, if he gets the chance, can finally showcase his skill set when it matters most.

While Jack Hughes didn’t score the most goals in the opening series, he certainly caused the Blueshirts fits. I wish there were an over/under for how many times Hughes would fall, but alas, we’ll have to make do with the Devils’ most outstanding offensive player coming up with the goalscoring goods.

He scored three goals in the opening round, one less than teammate Erik Haula. Don’t expect him to play second fiddle this time around.

The quarterbacks of their respective teams were kept comparatively quiet in the opening round, with Dougie Hamilton scoring once and Burns obtaining a doughnut. Hamilton scored 22 goals in the regular season, while Burns had 18.

For the Hurricanes and their depleted offense to have any chance of progressing, Burns must contribute from the blueline, and bulge the twine a few times.

This should be a defensive battle for the ages.

However, 31.5 goals, if it goes to a decisive Game 7, works out to an average of 4.5 goals per game. So, while it will invariably be close, look for both teams to combine for marginally more than the 31.5 baseline.

In the opening round, the Canes scored 2.67 goals per game and the Devils 2.43. New Jersey should see an uptick, and the Hurricanes will probably remain consistent. That should be enough to break through the 31.5 barrier.

And now for your obligatory long shot.

Sometimes an extended rest is counterproductive. But it shouldn’t be for a well-drilled, disciplined, and experienced Hurricanes team, who should cannon out of the tunnel like a gang of ravenous, perturbed army ants.

While on a high, New Jersey might find it challenging to adapt quickly enough to the hostile conditions in Raleigh.

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