The Carolina Hurricanes host the Ottawa Senators tonight in Game 2 of their opening-round playoff series. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at the Lenovo Center, with live coverage on ESPN2.
Carolina posted a 2-0 shutout on Saturday to take a 1-0 lead in the series. For tonight, DraftKings is dealing the Hurricanes as a -155 home favorite with a total of 5.5. 81% of the moneyline handle and 83% of tickets are on Carolina.
Best Bet: Senators vs. Hurricanes (UNDER 5.5)
The Hurricanes got goals from Logan Stankoven and Taylor Hall in Game 1. They also benefited from an inspired performance by veteran goaltender Freddie Andersen, who stopped all 22 shots to record his sixth career playoff shutout.
Goaltending was a concern for Carolina entering the playoffs, but Andersen overcame his struggles during the regular season.
Game 1 started with a fight between team captains Brady Tkachuk and Jordan Staal, and you can expect that physicality to continue throughout the series. Carolina continues to make life hard for opponents by cluttering things up in the neutral zone.
Ottawa goalie Linus Ullmark performed well in Game 1, turning away 27 of 29 shots. If both goaltenders are up to the task again tonight, this has all the makings of another UNDER.
Carolina has gone 4-0 to the UNDER in its last four games. Ottawa is 4-1 to the UNDER in its past five games.
Best Player Prop Bets for Carolina Hurricanes
Andrei Svechnikov OVER 2.5 Shots on Goal (+100)
Andrei Svechnikov came roaring out of the playoff gate with six shots on goal in the opener. You should expect that aggressiveness to continue in Game 2 tonight.
Jordan Staal OVER 0.5 Points (+165)
Jordan Staal‘s addition to Carolina’s power play has given the Canes a boost with the extra man. Staal, still getting it done at 37, tallied four power-play goals during the regular season.
Staal is counted on for his skill in winning key faceoffs. Needing only a goal or assist to cover this number, we like Staal’s chances tonight.
Best Player Prop Bets for Ottawa Senators
Linus Ullmark OVER 25.5 Saves (-115)
There’s a strong correlation here between our bet on the UNDER tonight. Carolina likes to throw pucks on the net. The Canes recorded 2,637 shots on goal, ranking second in the NHL behind only Colorado (2,766) during the regular season.
The shot volume should be there again, and Ullmark will have a good chance to go OVER this number of saves for the second straight game.
Tim Stutzle Anytime Goal Scorer (+230)
Tim Stutzle led Ottawa with 34 goals and 83 points during the regular season. Stutzle needs to get it going after the Sens were blanked in the opener.
That’s rare, as Ottawa was shut out only once during the regular season, back on Nov. 15 in a 1-0 loss to the Kings.
