Timo Meier plays much better when paired with Nico Hischier, and that pairing will lead to a goal for Meier in Game 2.
NHL
The Carolina Hurricanes handled the New Jersey Devils in the series opener, taking care of business with a 4-1 win on home ice.
My Devils vs. Hurricanes predictions expect a more competitive Game 2 in the cards with Timo Meier playing a key role for the road team.
Let’s dive deeper into my Tuesday, April 22 NHL picks.
The Carolina Hurricanes were the much better team in Game 1, overwhelming the New Jersey Devils with constant pressure in a convincing 4-1 victory.
Already playing without Jack Hughes and Jonas Siegenthaler — and now dealing with multiple injuries suffered in the opener — it’ll be tough for the Devils to equal the series in this one.
New Jersey will no doubt put forth a better effort this time around, but it’s tough to go against a Hurricanes squad that owns a 3-0 record against the Devils on home soil this season.
My Devils vs Hurricanes pick: Timo Meier anytime goal (+260 at Sports Interaction)
Timo Meier didn’t get on the scoresheet in the series opener, but it wasn’t for a lack of opportunities. He had plenty of great looks, leading all players in shot attempts (nine) while only Logan Stankoven was credited with more scoring chances.
Meier had a couple of great looks in the slot as well as a Grade A chance on the doorstep, in which he couldn’t get the puck over a sprawled out Frederik Andersen. Everything was there but the production.
Realizing the offense needed a spark, Sheldon Keefe placed Meier on a line with countryman Nico Hischier down the stretch.
The Devils won the shot attempt battle 9-1 with those two together while creating five chances over the span of just a few shifts.
That’s certainly not surprising, as Meier has a great track record with Hischier on his line. Meier averaged 11.45 scoring chances per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 play when centered by Hischier during the regular season.
Meier generated chances more efficiently with Hischier than any of the six forwards he played with even semi-regularly throughout the year.
Factor in Meier’s strong 5-on-5 chance metrics with the fact he’s been promoted to the top power play in the absence of Jack Hughes, and he couldn’t be positioned much better to create offense.
Timo Meier anytime goal
Sebastian Aho anytime goal
Hurricanes +1.5
Sebastian Aho has a great track record against the Devils, especially on home ice. Aho has scored in four of the last five home games against New Jersey. While he didn’t pot one last time out, he recorded three shots on goal and was able to test Jacob Markstrom.
The Canes posted a sparkling 32-9-1 record on home ice during the regular season. Against a team struggling to score without superstar Jack Hughes, they have a strong chance of keeping the game close no matter the victor.
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Timo Meier is tied for 20th in goals scored since March 1. Find more NHL betting trends for Devils vs. Hurricanes.
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Todd Cordell is a data-driven betting analyst. He uses numbers to help identify value across a wide variety of sports, with NHL being his specialty. Shot props, in particular, have proven to be a very fruitful market. Todd has served as a betting analyst in the public sphere for many years, most recently with theScore covering the NHL and MLB.
When not writing about sports betting, Todd stays busy analyzing the New Jersey Devils with a fine-tooth comb for InfernalAccess, his Devils-centric blog. Todd attended Sheridan College and graduated in 2014 with a diploma in print journalism.
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