A pair of teams that’ve positioned themselves squarely in playoff contention, the Arizona Coyotes and the Carolina Hurricanes collide at PNC Arena. Fox Arizona Plus will air this cross-country matchup, and the puck drops at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, January 10.
Arizona Coyotes at Carolina Hurricanes Odds
Even though they’ve posted a record of 25-18 straight up (SU), the Hurricanes have produced 1.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. Out of the team’s 43 regular season outings, 22 of them have gone under the total, while 21 have gone over and none have pushed. This year, the team is 13-8 SU at home.
Carolina’s converted on 23.4 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.8 percent of all penalties.
Carolina, as a collective unit, has been called for penalties 4.0 times per game overall this season, 3.4 per game over its last five games total, and 3.4 per game over its last five at home. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 7.6 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 24.3 saves per game with a .901 save percentage, Petr Mrazek (16-12-2) has been the most dependable goalkeeper for the Hurricanes this year. If they choose to rest him, however, head coach Rod Brind Amour may roll with James Reimer (9-8-8 record, .910 save percentage, 2.77 goals against average).
The Canes will continue to look for offensive production from Teuvo Teravainen and Andrei Svechnikov. Teravainen (41 points) has tallied eight goals and 33 assists and has recorded multiple points in nine different games this year. Svechnikov has 18 goals and 23 assists to his name and has notched a point in 27 contests.
On the other bench, Arizona is 25-21 straight up (SU) and has earned 2.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. A total of 24 of its contests have gone under the total, while 20 have gone over and just one has pushed. As the away team this season, Arizona is 14-10 SU.
Arizona has converted on 20.7 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked fourth overall and it’s successfully killed off 83.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
Arizona’s players have been whistled for penalties only 3.1 times per game in total this season, 3.0 per game over their last five games total, and 2.6 per game over their last five games as the visiting team. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 6.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Darcy Kuemper (28.7 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Arizona. Kuemper has 15 wins, 10 losses, and two OT losses to his credit, while registering a .929 save percentage and 2.17 goals against average this year.
Nick Schmaltz (seven goals, 28 assists) has been one of the primary playmaking threats for the visiting Coyotes.
Arizona Coyotes at Carolina Hurricanes Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Hurricanes, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
For both of these teams, the total has gone over in three of their past five matches.
Carolina’s attempted 34.2 shots per contest overall this season (the third-most in the NHL), and 33.6 in their last five home games.
Penalties and power plays could be even more critical than usual tonight. The Coyotes are 10-13 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 20-17 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Hurricanes are 7-5 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 14-11 in games where their penalty minutes are in the single digits.
Arizona (5-2 in shootouts) has more experience this season in games decided by shootout. Carolinahas yet to lose a shootout this year (2-0).
One of the best at creating pressure on opposing puckhandlers, Carolina is ranked 2nd with 9.5 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended higher recently, as the team has forced 11.0 takeaways over its last 10 games and 12.6 takeaways over its last five.
Arizona has averaged 6.2 takeaways per game over its last five road games, its season average of 6.7 takeaways per game (ranked 25th in the NHL).
Carolina may have an advantage if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s 9-5 in games decided by one goal, while Arizona is 9-11 in such games.
