Can the Hurricanes beat the Devils tonight

The Carolina Hurricanes vs New Jersey Devils prediction game is shaping up to be another intense matchup between two rivals who know each other really well. these teams split their regular season series 2-2 and have met in the playoffs, creating a heated history between them. the 2025-2026 season brings them together again, and home ice advantage will likely determine who takes it. carolina plays at Lenovo Center while New Jersey comes in as the visiting team, giving the Hurricanes a significant edge right from the start.

Carolina's home dominance vs New Jersey's road struggles

The Hurricanes have pretty much owned their home ice against the Devils. Carolina won their last 10 straight games at home against New Jersey and covered the puck line in 8 of the last 9 matchups. Meanwhile, New Jersey has lost nine consecutive games on the road at Lenovo Center, failing to cover most recent visits as a road team. Carolina's defensive structure thrives at home, where they control the puck and limit New Jersey's chances pretty effectivly. Injury concerns affect both squads Jaccob Slavin's health matters for Carolina's defense, while Dougie Hamilton's status impacts New Jersey's blue line. Betting odds favor Carolina at -1.5 goals, reflecting their home advantage and recent dominance.

Special teams and third period performance could swing the outcome

New Jersey's power play ranks among the league's elite at 28.2%, and their penalty kill sits strong at 82.7%. These special teams units could prove decisive in a tight game (if it stays close). However, Carolina's cycle-heavy defensive style creates problems for New Jersey's offense by controlling play and limiting quality chances. The Devils struggle in third periods when trailing, which could really hurt them if Carolina builds an early lead. Fans should check injury reports before game time since key players impact both teams' performances significantly. Bettors are eyeing the over/under near 5.5 goals, expecting a moderately low-scoring game with solid defensive play.

Watch for Carolina to lean on their home crowd and defensive identity. New Jersey needs to jump out early and avoid trailing late in the game. If the Devils' power play gets opportunities, they could win despite being on the road. Pay attention to which team controls the third period because that shift will likely determine the final outcome and decide who covers the spread.