Hurricanes Given Best Odds to Win Eastern Conference After Bruins Stumble

•  The Carolina Hurricanes have vaulted to +180 favorites to win the NHL Eastern Conference title
• Carolina has advanced to the the Eastern Conference Finals in their past three playoff appearances
• The Columbus Blue Jackets cannot be overlooked after taking a 2-1 series lead in their clash with the Boston Bruins

The Carolina Hurricanes continued an impressive NHL playoff run on Sunday with narrow 2-1 come-from-behind win over the New York Islanders.

Now leading the series 2-0 as the scene shifts to Raleigh for Game 3 on Wednesday night, the Hurricanes’ odds to win the NHL Eastern Conference received an additional boost with the Boston Bruins’ 2-1 loss to Columbus on Monday, leaving Carolina perched as a narrow favorite to claim its first conference crown since 2006, sporting +180 odds.

Odds to Win NHL Eastern Conference

*Odds taken 05/01/19

Mix of Veterans, Kids Powers Hurricanes Return to Playoff Picture

After finishing the past nine campaigns outside the NHL playoff picture, the Hurricanes enjoyed a resurgence this season, claiming the top wild card in the East while winning 46 games, which marks the team’s highest win total since recording their first-ever Stanley Cup win in 2006.

https://twitter.com/TonyTrotmann/status/1114001846358560769

Powered by a steady mix of veterans and youngsters, including Justin Williams, Jordan Staal, and Sebastian Aho, and the surprisingly strong play of goaltender Petr Mrazek, the Hurricanes silenced the doubters in the first round, knocking off the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals in seven games.

They have since followed up with a pair of character road wins over the Islanders to seize control of their second-round clash.

Injury to Mrazek Threatens Hurricanes’ Playoff Hopes

Mrazek has enjoyed a resurgence in Carolina this season. Coming off a dismal 2017-18 season split between the Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers, Mrazek faced tempered expectation after inking a one-year deal with the Hurricanes.

The 27-year-old Czech returned to more familiar form while seizing the starter’s job in Carolina, and carried his solid regular-season play into the postseason, particularly in a trio of home wins over Washington in the first-round.

Todd Scarola

The Hurricanes emergency goalie following the Petr Mrazek injury. pic.twitter.com/5USXPjoZgv

— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) April 28, 2019

However, after suffering a groin injury in Game 2 in New York, Mrazek’s status remains uncertain moving forward. With the six-year veteran now confirmed as unavailable for Game 3, Carolina must now turn to veteran backup Curtis McElhinney against a desperate Islanders squad that has enjoyed an impressive playoff run of their own.

Too Early to Count Out Islanders

The Islanders punched their ticket to the second round for just the second time since 1993 by sweeping the high-powered Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round. New York has received spectacular goaltending from Robin Lehner, who has surrendered more than two goals just once during the playoffs, and suffered a regulation loss just twice in his past 12 appearances.

Robin Lehner has a message for #Isles fans with the team heading to Carolina in a 2-0 series deficit: https://t.co/JugwdeWfaX | @ColinASteph pic.twitter.com/1u7uFY1iDu

— Newsday Sports (@NewsdaySports) April 30, 2019

And while New York has now dropped three straight decisions to the Hurricanes on home ice, the club has dominated in recent trips to Raleigh, winning three straight and nine of 12 since April 2013, making them an appealing +325 wager on the NHL series prices.

The Islanders have dominated in recent trips to Raleigh, winning three straight and nine of 12 since April 2013.

It is also difficult to overlook the red-hot Columbus Blue Jackets, who seized a 2-1 series lead over the Bruins with a 2-1 win in Game 3 on Tuesday night. The Blue jackets shocked the hockey world with their four-game sweep of the league-leading Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round, and now sit second to Carolina as a +190 wager to win the Eastern Conference.

Blue Jackets Playoff Strategy Paying Off

The Blue Jackets have built their deepest playoff run in franchise history on a lineup heavy on players expected to test unrestricted free agency this summer. And the strategy looks to be paying off. Sergei Bobrovsky has lived up to his billing as an all-world netminder while racking up a 6-1 record and 1.88 goals against average, capped by a sensational 36-save performance in Monday’s win.

Artemi Panarin and Matt Duchene have powered the Blue Jackets offense, compiling a combined 18 points through seven contests.

The Blue Jackets also look to be getting g under the skin of the Bruins, who narrowly survived a physical first-round clash with Toronto, and returned to their familiar undisciplined play in Game 3.

While the Hurricanes have enjoyed a charmed existence during their rare trips to the postseason, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in each of their three trips to the playoffs since 2002, it is the Blue Jackets that look to have the momentum and the high-end talent necessary to come out of the East this season.

Pick: Columbus Blue Jackets (+190)