“A Bunch of Jerks!” That is the recent label that the upstart Carolina Hurricanes and their fans have embraced. The reason for that name is due to the “Storm Surge” celebrations by the Canes after a regular season home win. These celebrations ranged from the players falling like bowling pins, dunking basketballs, crashing into the boards after a relay race, and even a mock boxing match with Evander Holyfield. To the starched NHL it was a sacrilegious assault on the tradition and etiquette of the game itself. Commentators railed against antics that they derided as “bush league.” Yet out of accident has come design. “A Bunch of Jerks” are on an improbable playoff run and their fans love it.
Boston Bruins vs. Carolina Hurricanes Game 3
Date and Time: Tuesday, May 14, 2018, 8 p.m. ET
Location: PNC Arena, Raleigh, North Carolina
NHL Betting Online Odds at Bookmaker.eu: Check Back Later
Bruins vs. Hurricanes TV Coverage: NBCSN
Odds Analysis
Live betting should be wide open for this one. On one hand the Boston Bruins are the favorite and one of the most traditional laden franchises in all of sports. On the other hand, the Caniac fans have given Carolina a true home ice advantage. Boston’s dominance thus far could bring bargain hunters towards the Hurricanes.
Current Form
Boston has been dominant so far with home wins of 5-2 in game one and 6-2 in game two. Games three and four will be at Carolina. And that is where the series could shift. The Hurricanes lost their first three road games against Washington in the first round and yet forced a successful game seven because they were able to win all three of their games at PNC Arena.
Rask Looks to Overcome Ghosts of Playoffs Past
Tuukka Rask was a backup goaltender to Tim Thomas when the Bruins won the 2011 Stanley Cup. As a result, Rask has always operated in the shadow of Thomas. By and large Rask has not been the problem for the Bruins recent playoff failures. In fact, he has a strong career playoff save percentage of .927. So far this spring Rask has turned in the best playoff performance of his career. Tuukka has a dominant .938 save percentage and has played with great confidence. During the regular season he shared the workload with Jaroslav Halak and this has proven to have kept him fresh for the post season.
The Caniacs
Due to their not making the playoffs since 2009 the Carolina Hurricanes have struggled to maintain fan interest and drawing power. But what went forgotten was the passion of their fans back when they were a consistent Cup contender from 2002-2009. Large crowds, tailgating, and intimidating crowd noise were the rule instead of the exception. That has all been rekindled for this improbable and unexpected playoff run. The Carolina fans are true assets and partners for the Canes, who have won all five of their previous playoff games at PNC Arena this year.
Players to Watch
Carolina has shown great balance with several standout players such as defenseman Jacob Slavin, center Jordan Staal, and left wings Sebastian Aho, Warren Foegele, and Teuvo Teravainen all making important contributions. But don’t forget captain Justin Williams. While not big on the scoresheet Williams has leadership skills that are a decided intangible asset.
Free NHL Live Betting Odds Pick
In addition to winning all five of their playoff games at home this spring the Hurricanes have won three of their last five home playoff games against the Bruins. Home ice looks like a true advantage in this one!
NHL Live Betting Odds Picks: Carolina Hurricanes
NHL Live Betting Odds Score Prediction: Hurricanes 3, Bruins 1
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
