Metropolitan Division Betting Preview: PointsBet Canada Overs & Unders
By: Aleem Kanji
Carolina Hurricanes
Over 95.5 -135
Under 95.5 +105
82-Game Pace 106.89
The Hurricanes were pretty active after losing Dougie Hamilton, who signed with the Devils as an unrestricted free agent over the summer. Carolina’s biggest acquisition was Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who the Hurricanes signed via an offer sheet. However, some of Carolina’s other moves were questionable. First in goal, the Hurricanes brought in Frederick Andersen, but shipped out Alex Nedeljkovic. Nedeljkovic impressed during his season, but only brought in a third-round pick, while Andersen was on IR for most of the last year.
On defense, Jaccob Slavin may be the most underrated D-man in the league and Brett Pesce allows them to have a solid second pair. The loss of Hamilton hurts, but Ethan Bear and Tony DeAngelo will help to ease the pain. Their forwards are solid everywhere and play a possession style game with Sebastian Aho and soon-to-be superstar Andrei Svechnikov. Teuvo Teravainen and Vincent Trocheck are to- line players that know what they are doing on both ends of the ice.The Canes are going to come at teams in waves and try to tilt the ice in their favor.
Rod Brind’Amour has done an amazing job in his tenure as the head coach of the Canes. Players respect him and he will go to bat for anyone in the organization. I like the Canes team to be at the top of their division. And they will still be competitive throughout the year. I also really like this team to win their division at +450. Take the over on the Canes 95.5 points.
New Jersey Devils
Over 90.5 -105
Under 90.5 -125
82-Game Pace 65.89
The Devils caught this year’s biggest UFA fish this year by landing Dougie Hamilton. Their goalie tandem is Mackenzie Blackwood and Jonathan Bernier. While they are unspectacular, overall they are a decent tandem. Blackwood has some promise and should benefit from having Hamilton on defense. Bernier is a competent backup and should get some extra wins for the Devils this year.
The Devils are hoping this is the year that all of their young talent takes the next step. Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes are the young leaders on this team. They should be ready to join the elite forwards and both have 70-point potential. Outside of these two, there are some hard working wingers who can chip in offensively, but their main goal is to make playing against them difficult.
The Devils are a team that has the pieces to make a push for the playoffs. The number here is somewhat reasonable, but I like all of the moves they have made. The division does not have a standout team and the Devils will be involved in tight games all year. For that reason, Take the over on Devils’ 90.5 points.
