Bruins vs. Hurricanes Stanley Cup Playoffs Game 7 Odds, Preview and Pick (Archive)
The home team has won every game of the NHL Eastern Conference playoff series between the Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes as the series returns to Raleigh for Game 7 on Saturday. Which way to lean at BMR’s top-rated sportsbooks?
Boston Bruins vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Saturday, May 14, 2022 – 04:30 PM EDT at PNC Arena
It may not be hyperbole to say that Saturday could be one of the best NHL days in history and certainly the best this season.
There are three Game 7s around the league, all at staggered times, and the first is Boston at Carolina from the Eastern Conference – the home team has won every game easily.
ESPN has this 04:30 puck drop, and it’s followed by Lightning-Maple Leafs at 07:00 PM EDT (TNT) and then Kings-Oilers at 10:00 PM EDT (ESPN).
How Rare Is This?
Saturday will be the first time since April 30, 2014, that three Game 7s will be held on the same day.
The record is four on May 1, 1992. Back then, they all started at the same time (07:30 PM EDT) because there was no worry about national TV network contracts.
I don’t think Boston can win the East but that Carolina could. At BMR’s top-rated sportsbooks, the Bruins are +850 to do so and the Hurricanes +500.
Some bettors like to play the three-way line, although I don’t. The prices for this one: Hurricanes +110, Bruins +175, and a regulation draw +330.
Are the Bruins Having More Games Seven Than Anyone?
It’s crazy how different the Bruins have been offensively in this series at home compared to the road.
Having the last line change in Boston has completely been the difference. The Bruins took Game 6 on Thursday 5-2 and have scored at least four goals in all three home games and totaled only four in the three on the road.
Brad Marchand had a goal and assist in Game 6, his 10th career goal in a game where the Bruins faced elimination, breaking his tie with Peter McNab (nine) for the most such goals in franchise history.
Bruins' Performance
That’s impressive as Boston is an Original Six franchise. It was Marchand’s 49th career postseason goal, tying current teammate Patrice Bergeron (who didn’t score Thursday) for second-most in Bruins history behind the legendary Cam Neely (55).
- Marchand’s goal opened the scoring at 0:46 of the second and improved Boston to 34-26-1 when scoring first in games when facing elimination.
- Jeremy Swayman made 23 saves – he caught a break when the potential first goal of the game by Carolina was waived off by the officials – to become the fifth Bruins rookie goaltender to earn a win when facing elimination.
- Boston started Linus Ullmark the first two games and he wasn’t good, so there’s no question it will be Swayman again in Game 7.
It appears the lone injury concern for Boston is defenseman Matt Grzelcyk after missing Game 6. Fellow blueliner Hampus Lindholm returned from his injury in Game 6, so Grzelcyk might have been a healthy scratch regardless.
This will be Boston’s NHL-record 29th Game 7. The B’s are 15-13 in them but have only played five on the road, going 1-4. Bergeron has six goals in Game 7s, one shy of the most ever in league history.
Boston is 0-5 on the NHL odds in its past five as a road underdog.
Canes On Game Seven Win Streak
Just as Boston has dominated at home in this series, so has Carolina in Raleigh in winning the three games there by a combined score of 15-4.
- Carolina had leads of 2-0, 3-0, and 4-0 in those home wins and took fewer penalties in all three home games.
- The Canes haven’t had No. 1 goaltender Frederik Andersen at all in this series due to injury and they obviously wouldn’t just throw him in now even if ready, which he isn’t.
- Forward Jordan Martinook has missed the past three but could play Saturday.
- Antti Raanta has started every game but Game 3 in this series and due to injury; he left Game 2 injured. In the three at home, he has stopped 74 of 76 shots.
- Defenseman Tony DeAngelo leads the team with eight points in the series and is plus-5.
Which Players Have Recorded More Points in a Postseason Series?
Only four players in Hurricanes/Whalers history have recorded more points in a postseason series with the record being 10 by Cory Stillman in 2006 and Bates Battaglia in 2002.
Jordan Staal has 10 career points in series-clinching games, most among current Hurricanes players. He has been relatively quiet this series with a goal and two assists.
Andrei Svechnikov had both goals in the Game 5 loss, his third career multi-goal playoff game. That’s one shy of the franchise record.
In-Game 7s, the Hurricanes own a 5-3 all-time record and a 2-0 mark at home.
Overall, Carolina has won five straight Game 7s, one shy of the NHL record set by the Rangers (2012-2015), Bruins (1983-1994), and Red Wings (1949-1964).
These franchises have met in a Game 7 twice: Boston beat Hartford in the first round in 1990 and Carolina won in Boston in overtime in 2009 -- Saturday will mark the 13th anniversary of that game.
I see no reason to go against the home trend, plus we have to favor the veteran Raanta in net over the rookie Swayman, although it’s the first Game 7 start for both.
The Canes are 5-0 in their past five after allowing at least five goals in their previous game.
NHL Pick: Hurricanes (-126) with BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.