With the series tied 2-2, Game 5 in Carolina could swing the Stanley Cup Final. Here are the odds, trends and best bets for tonight's showdown
The momentum has shifted back in Carolina’s direction, as the Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights get ready to face off in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals tonight in Raleigh, NC.
A quick scan at Betway Stanley Cup odds bears that out – the Hurricanes are -150, the Golden Knights +125.
A big reason for that comes down to the play of the goaltenders in this series.
Carolina head coach Rod Brind’Amour swapped out Frederik Andersen for Brandon Bussi for Game 3, and Bussi made 18 saves on 21 shots in the Hurricanes’ 5-3 win. Not exactly Marty Brodeur, steeling-you-a-game level, but good enough.
Andersen wasn’t even on the bench, backing up Bussi. Never seen that before. In the previous series against the Montreal Canadiens, Andersen (13-2-0, 1.89 GAA, .910 SV% and 3 SO in 16 playoff starts) was a legitimate betting candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP.
On the Vegas side, though, on the goaltending, not so good either – after we were singing his praises through their first three playoff series, Carter Hart’s game has sprung some leaks. He’s allowed four goals in all four games of the series.
It’s been odd to watch, since Hart’s made some huge saves against Carolina, but there have been too many goals he would like to have back.
In Game 3 his save percentage was .852. Not good enough.
No one predicted the scoring levels in this series to be this high as well – Game 2’s 4-3 Hurricanes win being the lowest scoring game.
Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho haven’t had an impact in this series and that must change tonight. The Golden Knights have been 1-for-12 on the power play and that’s not going to cut it.
The Golden Knights need depth scoring, and by that I don’t mean their second line of Mitch Marner, William Karlsson and Brett Howden. I am talking their first line, led by Jack Eichel, whether that’s with Pavel Dorofeyev, or Mark Stone and Ivan Barbashev. Eichel has played great, but he’ll need to chip in goals to make a difference for Vegas, with the series as tight as it is. They are being outplayed by Jordan Staal’s line.
Staal has been playing at an MVP clip – with two goals in Game 4.
No injuries to report for either team.
BEST BETS
Vegas Golden Knights at Carolina Hurricanes, tonight, 8 p.m. EST, Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC
Best-of-seven series tied 2-2.
In NHL betting at Betway, the Hurricanes are -150 on the moneyline, while the Golden Knights are +125. On the puckline, the Hurricanes are -1.5 (+155), with the Golden Knights +1.5 (-200). The total is 5.5 (Over -140, Under +110).
Hurricanes to win (-150)
Worth a play here, with the Hurricanes returning to home ice. Hart is a big-time concern for me. Maybe it’s exhaustion, I don’t know.
How will Bussi perform with the home crowd energy? Keep in mind he’s no greenhorn – Bussi played in 39 games for the Hurricanes during the regular season.
Under 5.5 (+110)
I’m looking for some plus money. While both teams have been scoring more than I expected, I think they’ll tighten things up in Game 5, knowing neither side wants to be pushed to the brink of elimination.
Jordan Staal Over 0.5 Goals (+275)
He’s been unstoppable, scoring in all four games, with quality chances, crashing the net. That home crowd will give him another shot of juice.
Also: Eichel and Svechnikov Both to Score 1+ Points (+130). I really like this one, with Eichel getting scoring chances, and Svechnikov playing in the top six, often out there with the team’s best playmakers and finishers, especially on the No. 1 power play unit. And again, home ice juice for him, as well.
