Hurricanes vs Bruins Game 5 Odds and Pick – Aug 19

• If the Boston Bruins defeat the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 Wednesday ( 4:00 pm ET) they will have won four of their last five playoff series
• The Hurricanes have now lost seven of eight playoff games to Boston in the last 15 months
• See the odds and betting analysis in the story below

The Boston Bruins, leading 3-1 in the series, look like a team fully in charge heading into Game 5 (Wednesday, Aug. 19th, 4:00 pm ET) against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Even with their No. 1 goalie sitting out the playoffs and their leading scorer injured, the Bruins are finding ways to grind up the Hurricanes. Depth, strong defensive play, poise and experience seem to be advantages for the Bruins in the series. Trailing 2-0 entering the third period in Monday’s Game 4, the Bruins scored four goals in under seven minutes to take charge of the game and the series.

Now oddsmakers have positioned them as healthy favorites for Game 5.

Boston Bruins vs Carolina Hurricanes Game 5 Odds

Odds as of August 18. 

In the third period of Game 4, Boston out-shot the Hurricanes 16-0 before Carolina pulled its goalie to get an extra-attacker. The Bruins’ defense smothered the Hurricanes’ offense before it got started. A big hit by defenseman Charlie McAvoy on Jordan Staal also helped the Bruins grab the momentum. The Bruins can win many different ways.

It was an impressive period. The Bruins were underdogs going into that game  and are -150 favorites going into Game 5 with a predicted score of Bruins winning 3.35 to 2.99.

Rod Brind’Amour: “That’s not something that I’ve seen out of us. Ever. I’ll take the heat for that, I needed to have my guys better for that third period and I’ll learn as well.”

— Sara Civ (@SaraCivian) August 18, 2020

Bruins Can Be Cautious with Pastrnak

Who’s not playing in this series is almost as important as who is. David Pastrnak, a finalist for the Hart Trophy, hasn’t played since Game 1 because of an undisclosed injury. A review of video showed he might have suffered an abdominal issue while celebrating a goal.

Pastrnak’s injury is considered “day to day.” With Boston ahead in the series, they can afford to give him time to fully heal. The Bruins feel no urgency to rush him back to play.

We are all David Pastrnak pic.twitter.com/tCJaHgZCra

— Cara Mooney (@caramooney) August 18, 2020

Hurricanes Need More from Their Offense

In the critical Game 4, the Hurricanes were outshot 33 to 19. Sebastian Aho didn’t have a shot. He  only has four shots in four games against Boston

With Andre Svechnikov out with an injury, the Hurricanes needed Aho to have a productive game. As the shots suggest, the Hurricanes had difficulty generating offense against the Bruins.  When the game is on the line, the Bruins can create prime scoring chances easier than the Hurricanes.

Svechnikov is expected to miss the rest of the series and that is a huge blow for Carolina. Svechnikov is only 20, but he is a game-breaker and a feisty competitor. Staal had to leave the ice after being decked by McAvoy. Keep an eye on his status.

Latest on Svechnikov post-MRI: Not a worst-case scenario. Will be out for a while but could potentially return if Hurricanes advance to conference or Stanley Cup finals. Likely to remain in Toronto bubble at this point. https://t.co/ZONxoyP93R

— Luke DeCock (@LukeDeCock) August 16, 2020

Do the Bruins Have a Goalie Problem?

Lost in the Boston’s excitement over its come-from-behind win was the truth that goalie Jaroslav Halak wasn’t sharp. The Hurricanes were able to build a 2-0 lead because Halak was below average.

Gotta give Bruce Cassidy some credit tonight. Juggled some lines and D pairs and got the team jumping after 2 soft goals by Halak. The #Bruins look like they’re finding their game. Not to get ahead of things but man I am looking forward to #Tampa #Bruins next round. #NHLPlayoffs

— Colby Cohen (@ColbyCohen36) August 18, 2020

Halak is a quality goalie. Some say he is among the NHL’s top  backups. But if the Bruins hadn’t rallied to win in the third period, they would have had a loss that was Halak’s fault.

With Tuukka Rask deciding he needed to be home with his family during the pandemic, there is considerable pressure on Halak. If he can’t get the job done, there’s nowhere to go for the Bruins.

Why the Bruins Will Wrap it Up

The Bruins laid a demoralizing loss on the Hurricanes in the pivotal Game 4. The Hurricanes entered the third period believing they had started to turn the series in their favor and the Bruins crushed their spirits.

The Hurricanes have too much going against them now. Both of their goalies have lost to Boston in this series and their offense isn’t getting traction against the NHL’s top defensive team. The Svechnikov injury was a heavy blow.

Meanwhile, Boston is becoming stronger as the series progresses. Remember how disinterested the Bruins looked in the round-robin games? Now, they look driven.

Game 5 pick:  Bruins (-150)