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Carolina Hurricanes vs Boston Bruins series predictions

May 7, 2019, 1:23 PM ET [24 Comments]
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In this edition of the hotstove, we share our predictions for the Eastern Conference Final.

Todd Cordell

I like the Carolina Hurricanes in seven games.

Their underlying numbers were exceptional all season long but the team really took off when Nino Niederreiter entered the fold. The Hurricanes have carried that 5v5 dominance into the playoffs, where they have controlled 56.47% of the shot attempts (1st) and 55.21% of the expected goals (2nd among remaining teams).

I know they haven't had the stiffest path to the conference finals – the New York Islanders are not exactly a powerhouse – but they still deserve a lot of credit for consistently tilting the ice the way they have, especially considering they've done so despite playing six games without Andrei Svechnikov and eight without Micheal Ferland.

I think the Hurricanes have the 5v5 edge over the Bruins, especially in games they may be without Charlie McAvoy, and the team with said edge usually comes out on top. In saying that, I don't think the Bruins will be pushovers by any stretch – and it's entirely possible a stronger power play, and/or Tuukka Rask, can offset Carolina's potential advantage at 5v5.

I expect it to be a long series either way, but I like the Hurricanes' success to continue for one more round.

Peter Tessier

Now that the eastern conference final is decided the predictions cone down to the ‘alleged’ bunch of jerks or the team made up of jerks. I’m all over seeing the Hurricanes have success but given the goaltending and injuries I’m getting a bit suspicious.

So far this post season the Hurricanes are rocking a 103.1 PDO at 5v5 but regress a bit in all strengths- that’s where Boston is tops in PDO.

These teams are having success behind great goaltending performances. Which goalie bows out first? That’s the question of this series and if I had to put money on it I’d day Carolina slides back- Rask has been down this road before. That’s not to say the bunch of jerks won’t be formidable but if the goaltending slips a bit Boston is going to make life really difficult for them. Go Canes but expect the Bruins to come out of the East.

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