After missing the first nine games of the season due to a contract dispute and failing to score in his first eight games, Anaheim’s Nick Ritchie has caught fire lately by scoring all four of his goals in the Ducks’ past four contests. Ritchie and the Ducks will look to claim their third straight triumph and a winning road trip Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. Sportsbooks opened the Hurricanes as -190 home favorites with a total of 5.5.
- The Ducks are 8-1 SU in their last nine games vs the Hurricanes.
- The Hurricanes are 2-12 ATS in their last 14 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in four of the Ducks’ last five games on the road (avg. combined score: 5.2).
Ducks vs Hurricanes Game Center
Ducks, Hurricanes are playing solid hockey right now
The Ducks and Hurricanes have each won four of their past five games, and the clubs have had very similar seasons so far evidenced by hot starts with rough patches in between. Carolina is fresh off a 2-1 victory over Montreal on Tuesday thanks to 48 saves from Curtis McElhinney. McElhinney is now 7-2-0 with a 2.12 goals-against average and .930 save percentage since joining the ’Canes at the start of the season.
After missing the first 18 games of the season with a concussion, Anaheim’s Ondrej Kase has three goals and two assists in his past six tilts. The Ducks have allowed seven goals in 18 short-handed situations over the past six games, while Carolina is 10-for-10 on the penalty kill over its previous five. Ducks defenseman Josh Manson has found the back of the net in the last two games, while Ryan Getzlaf (team-high 18 points), Adam Henrique and Pontus Aberg shared the team lead in goals with six apiece.
With McElhinney starring for the ’Canes and Petr Mrazek in tow, Carolina decided to waive netminder Scott Darling, who had been struggling in 2018-19. Sebastian Aho (team-high 25 points) and Teuvo Teravainen (18) have been kept off the scoresheet in their past two games, while Michael Ferland (11 goals, 15 points) hasn’t recorded a point in his last three games. The Hurricanes have lost four straight to the Ducks – including two in shootouts – while losing four straight in their own rink to Anaheim.
Hurricanes have become a terrible puckline wager
Carolina’s struggles against Anaheim date back even further, as the Ducks are 8-1 SU in their past nine clashes with the Hurricanes. The ’Canes simply haven’t been covering the puckline this year, going 2-12 on the puckline in their previous 14 contests. Carolina opened at -1.5 on the puckline with a price of +150 at Sportsbook.
When it comes to the total, the OVER might be worth a look according to betting trends. The OVER is 4-1 in the past five matchups between the squads, with an average combined score of seven goals.
McElhinney slated to start for the Hurricanes
McElhinney is listed as the probable starter for Carolina. McElhinney has allowed five goals while winning his past four games.
