by Chuck Sommers
Saturday, Feb 25, 2023
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Venue: PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC
Where to watch: BSSO, BSSC
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Hurricanes -410, Ducks +330
FanDuel: Hurricanes -410, Ducks +330
BetMGM: Hurricanes -410, Ducks +330
Caesars: Hurricanes -410, Ducks +330
Season record
Ducks: 18-34-7
Hurricanes: 39-10-8
The All-Star break is over, the second half of the NHL season can officially begin, and we're bound for what should be a very exciting second half of the hockey season. Basketball and hockey are about to rule the roost in the sports betting world once the Super Bowl is done with, and we should all be very excited for what's to come. When the trade deadline hits and players switch teams, you know things are about to get hectic over these final 30 games or so. One way you can stay tuned with the action is following what our champion handicappers are doing in the world of the NHL. Look at ASA, Inc., reeling in a $6,750 profit off a 17-9-0 run. Al McMordie is also doing well on the ice with a 13-5-0 run and a net profit of $6,050. Scott Rickenbach has also been hanging strong with a lot of betting action, in what's been an unusual year, with a 24-18-0 run and reeling in $5,950. You know this action is going to be great now that games are back and a busy second half if on the horizon. All you need to do is head to our BEST BETS page at bigal.com to find out all of what we're trying to tell you. Make sure you're locked in at bigal.com and go to our Best Bets page to find out what our champion handicappers have to say in the world of the NHL!
Ducks - Hurricanes preview, prediction and analysis
The Anaheim Ducks will be playing the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, February 25 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The Anaheim Ducks won against the Washington Capitals on Thursday, February 23 at Capital One Arena in Washington with a score of 4-2. The Anaheim Ducks currently rank 8th in the Pacific Division.
John Gibson made 41 saves, and Troy Terry scored after missing the previous seven games with an upper-body injury for the Ducks (18-34-7), who had lost six straight (0-5-1). Cam Fowler had two assists.
"It's been a really tough stretch for us here lately," Anaheim forward Jakob Silfverberg said. "It hasn't just been the results. It's been kind of the way we've been playing too. Obviously playing a little bit of a better game tonight and we've got some areas we can clean up too, but just getting the win and getting the morale boost in the room, that's a lot."
T.J. Oshie gave Washington a 1-0 lead at 11:41 of the first period when he deflected Erik Gustafsson's shot in the slot during a power play. It was the Capitals' first lead in six games. Isac Lundestrom tied it 1-1 on a breakaway at 7:09 of the second period, deking to his left before going right and lifting a backhand over Lindgren's left pad.
Nick Jensen gave the Capitals a 2-1 lead at 9:07, taking a pass from Nic Dowd at the point and skating through the left face-off circle before cutting to the net and scoring. Anaheim tied it 2-2 at 9:51 when Terry's shot hit the crossbar, fell behind Lindgren and rolled across the goal line during a scramble.
Silfverberg put Anaheim ahead 3-2 at 2:15 of the third period, taking a pass from Max Comtois on a 2-on-1 and beating Lindgren through the five-hole. Derek Grant scored into an empty net at 18:29 for the 4-2 final.
Washington didn't score in the third despite outshooting Anaheim 16-5.
"[Gibson] is about as fierce a competitor that you can find," Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. "He's been extremely resilient, being a goaltender for a total rebuilding team. That takes a lot of patience and it takes a lot of intestinal fortitude. So, I was really proud of how he played tonight."
The Anaheim Ducks have won three of their last 10 games.
The Carolina Hurricanes won against the Ottawa Senators on Friday, February 24 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina with a score of 4-0. The Carolina Hurricanes currently rank 1st in the Metropolitan Division.
Antti Raanta made 32 saves when the Carolina Hurricanes won their fifth straight game.
It was Raanta's 18th NHL shutout and third of the season. He is 11-0-1 in his past 12 games (11 starts), including shutouts in consecutive games Dec. 27 against the Chicago Blackhawks and Dec. 30 against the Florida Panthers.
"'Rants' made a couple of huge saves. He was, in my opinion, the best player on the ice tonight," Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour said.
Brent Burns scored, and Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho each had two assists for the Hurricanes (39-10-8), who are 13-1-2 in their past 16 games.
"We're going through a stretch where we're getting our chances and they're going in," said Brind'Amour. "I don't know that we've done anything differently."
Burns gave Carolina a 1-0 lead at 3:48 of the first period. After Seth Jarvis was pushed into the net and Talbot by Ottawa forward Alex DeBrincat, Burns skated down the slot and scored on a wrist shot with Talbot out of position.
Jarvis made it 2-0 at 6:29 when he drove across the crease and scored on his own rebound at the right post.
"I put one on net and before it would probably kick the other way, but it kicked right back to me and I was able to score on the rebound," Jarvis said. "My game as a whole, and forechecking-wise especially, has really [improved], and that's what is resulting in me scoring."
Carolina was 0-for-2 on the power play and 5-for-5 on the penalty kill. Raanta made nine saves while shorthanded, including a one-timer by DeBrincat from the left circle 38 seconds into the second during a 5-on-3.
"[The penalty kill] was huge," Raata said. "We know that they have skillful players, and they move the puck really well. Guys were doing a great job taking backdoor passes away, and when I had the shot, I was able to see it."
Raanta made 12 saves in the third, including two on Brady Tkachuk at the top of the crease at 10:58 and 11:17 on a power play.
"When it's 2-0, you don't want to let any goals in because then it's going to get even tighter," Raanta said. "Obviously, the last couple minutes you start yelling a little bit more to take the guys out. You try to focus on the next shot and hope the clock runs out really quickly."
Martin Necas extended it to 3-0 at 12:34 of the third period with a one-timer from the edge of the left face-off circle after receiving a pass from Svechnikov.
Brady Skjei scored an empty-net goal at 16:30 for the 4-0 final.
The Carolina Hurricanes have won nine of their last 10 games.
Prediction
Hurricanes 5, Ducks 2
The Anaheim Ducks won against the Washington Capitals on Thursday, February 23 at Capital One Arena in Washington with a score of 4-2. The Anaheim Ducks currently rank 8th in the Pacific Division.
John Gibson made 41 saves, and Troy Terry scored after missing the previous seven games with an upper-body injury for the Ducks (18-34-7), who had lost six straight (0-5-1). Cam Fowler had two assists.
"It's been a really tough stretch for us here lately," Anaheim forward Jakob Silfverberg said. "It hasn't just been the results. It's been kind of the way we've been playing too. Obviously playing a little bit of a better game tonight and we've got some areas we can clean up too, but just getting the win and getting the morale boost in the room, that's a lot."
T.J. Oshie gave Washington a 1-0 lead at 11:41 of the first period when he deflected Erik Gustafsson's shot in the slot during a power play. It was the Capitals' first lead in six games. Isac Lundestrom tied it 1-1 on a breakaway at 7:09 of the second period, deking to his left before going right and lifting a backhand over Lindgren's left pad.
Nick Jensen gave the Capitals a 2-1 lead at 9:07, taking a pass from Nic Dowd at the point and skating through the left face-off circle before cutting to the net and scoring. Anaheim tied it 2-2 at 9:51 when Terry's shot hit the crossbar, fell behind Lindgren and rolled across the goal line during a scramble.
Silfverberg put Anaheim ahead 3-2 at 2:15 of the third period, taking a pass from Max Comtois on a 2-on-1 and beating Lindgren through the five-hole. Derek Grant scored into an empty net at 18:29 for the 4-2 final.
Washington didn't score in the third despite outshooting Anaheim 16-5.
"[Gibson] is about as fierce a competitor that you can find," Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. "He's been extremely resilient, being a goaltender for a total rebuilding team. That takes a lot of patience and it takes a lot of intestinal fortitude. So, I was really proud of how he played tonight."
The Anaheim Ducks have won three of their last 10 games.
The Carolina Hurricanes won against the Ottawa Senators on Friday, February 24 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina with a score of 4-0. The Carolina Hurricanes currently rank 1st in the Metropolitan Division.
Antti Raanta made 32 saves when the Carolina Hurricanes won their fifth straight game.
It was Raanta's 18th NHL shutout and third of the season. He is 11-0-1 in his past 12 games (11 starts), including shutouts in consecutive games Dec. 27 against the Chicago Blackhawks and Dec. 30 against the Florida Panthers.
"'Rants' made a couple of huge saves. He was, in my opinion, the best player on the ice tonight," Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour said.
Brent Burns scored, and Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho each had two assists for the Hurricanes (39-10-8), who are 13-1-2 in their past 16 games.
"We're going through a stretch where we're getting our chances and they're going in," said Brind'Amour. "I don't know that we've done anything differently."
Burns gave Carolina a 1-0 lead at 3:48 of the first period. After Seth Jarvis was pushed into the net and Talbot by Ottawa forward Alex DeBrincat, Burns skated down the slot and scored on a wrist shot with Talbot out of position.
Jarvis made it 2-0 at 6:29 when he drove across the crease and scored on his own rebound at the right post.
"I put one on net and before it would probably kick the other way, but it kicked right back to me and I was able to score on the rebound," Jarvis said. "My game as a whole, and forechecking-wise especially, has really [improved], and that's what is resulting in me scoring."
Carolina was 0-for-2 on the power play and 5-for-5 on the penalty kill. Raanta made nine saves while shorthanded, including a one-timer by DeBrincat from the left circle 38 seconds into the second during a 5-on-3.
"[The penalty kill] was huge," Raata said. "We know that they have skillful players, and they move the puck really well. Guys were doing a great job taking backdoor passes away, and when I had the shot, I was able to see it."
Raanta made 12 saves in the third, including two on Brady Tkachuk at the top of the crease at 10:58 and 11:17 on a power play.
"When it's 2-0, you don't want to let any goals in because then it's going to get even tighter," Raanta said. "Obviously, the last couple minutes you start yelling a little bit more to take the guys out. You try to focus on the next shot and hope the clock runs out really quickly."
Martin Necas extended it to 3-0 at 12:34 of the third period with a one-timer from the edge of the left face-off circle after receiving a pass from Svechnikov.
Brady Skjei scored an empty-net goal at 16:30 for the 4-0 final.
The Carolina Hurricanes have won nine of their last 10 games.
Prediction
Hurricanes 5, Ducks 2
Betting trends
Ducks are 6-1 in the last 7 meetings in Carolina.
Ducks are 12-4 in the last 16 overall meetings.
Hurricanes are 7-2 in their last nine Saturday games.
Projected lines
Ducks:
Trevor Zegras -- Ryan Strome -- Troy Terry
Max Jones -- Mason McTavish -- Jakob Silfverberg
Frank Vatrano -- Isac Lundestrom -- Brett Leason
Max Comtois -- Derek Grant -- Sam Carrick
Cam Fowler -- Dmitry Kulikov
Colton White -- Nathan Beaulieu
Simon Benoit -- Kevin Shattenkirk
John Gibson
Hurricanes:
Andrei Svechnikov -- Sebastian Aho -- Seth Jarvis
Teuvo Teravainen -- Jesperi Kotkaniemi -- Martin Necas
Jordan Martinook -- Jordan Staal -- Jesper Fast
Stefan Noesen -- Paul Stastny -- Derek Stepan
Jaccob Slavin -- Brent Burns
Brady Skjei -- Brett Pesce
Calvin de Haan -- Jalen Chatfield
Frederik Andersen
Andrei Svechnikov -- Sebastian Aho -- Seth Jarvis
Teuvo Teravainen -- Jesperi Kotkaniemi -- Martin Necas
Jordan Martinook -- Jordan Staal -- Jesper Fast
Stefan Noesen -- Paul Stastny -- Derek Stepan
Jaccob Slavin -- Brent Burns
Brady Skjei -- Brett Pesce
Calvin de Haan -- Jalen Chatfield
Frederik Andersen
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
