Jack Eichel volume, Sebastian Aho bounce-back are the lead top betting plays for Stanley Cup Final Game 2 in Carolina tonight
The Carolina Hurricanes are looking to improve and tighten up their play for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights tonight, to limit Vegas’ high danger chances (11 of those in Game 1, according to Sportsnet).
Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen was at best average in the 5-4 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 1, with a .783 save percentage. The only good news there for the Hurricanes was Vegas goalie Carter Hart wasn’t much better, especially over the first period, when they went down 2-0 early. Hart’s SV% was .852.
A big task for Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour is to get the No. 1 line of Sebastian Aho (27 goals, 53 assists, 80 points this past season), Andrei Svechnikov (31-39-70) and Seth Jarvis (32-34-66) going, a line that had the lowest shot attempts among Carolina forward lines, on a power play that has struggled during the playoffs, at 12.1%, 13th in the NHL.
Power play deficiency is big for the Hurricanes, and that needs to get corrected.
“They got to play in the other team’s end,” said Brind’Amour. “They’re too much one and done – and not even one a lot of times. More offensive zone time. We need them to get going.”
Those are three factors right there, that need to turn around, if this is going to be a long series – Andersen, No. 1 line, and Hurricanes’ PP.
BEST BETS
Vegas Golden Knights at Carolina Hurricanes, tonight, 8 p.m. EST, Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC
Vegas Golden Knights lead best-of-seven series 1-0
In NHL betting at Betway, Carolina is the Moneyline favorite to even the series tonight, at -150, with Vegas at +125. The Hurricanes are -1.5 on the Spread (+155), the Golden Knights at +1.5 (-200). The Over/Under is 5.5 (O -125, U +105).
Vegas Golden Knights to Win (+125)
Vegas is a deep, balanced team, full of big, strong dudes, and the Hurricanes now realize these guys are not the Montreal Canadiens.
It’s starting to feel more like a team-of-destiny scenario for the Golden Knights this NHL season, a team that was so-so during the regular, in the “pillow fight” Pacific Division as the Oilers’ Connor McDavid called it, seemingly rudderless at the goaltending position in particular.
Then John Tortorella came in as head coach March 29, knowing he already had a deep team with forward depth, and big hulking defensemen who play hard, and got them to commit to more aggressive forechecking and pressure, renewed defensive commitment, more accountability, and restoring team confidence.
Tortorella didn’t reinvent the Vegas’ system; he just took a hugely talented roster that was drifting and has it back on the rails.
Jack Eichel Over 2.5 Shots (-115)
Eichel has 45 shots in 17 playoff games, for a 2.6 per game average. He’ll pump shots at Andersen tonight. Plus, remember, Eichel averaged 3.5 shots per game during the regular season.
Much of the Vegas’ offence flows through Eichel, who has 19 playoff points, second in league scoring behind teammate Mitch Marner.
Sebastian Aho Over 0.5 Total Goals (+225)
Carolina’s top line was quiet in the opener, but that won’t happen two games in a row.
Aho will log massive minutes tonight and works the top power-play unit.
The Hurricanes are going to be desperate to not go down 2-0 in the series.
Other top picks: Taylor Hall Over 0.5 Total Points (-115), Aho Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (+115).
