NHL: New Jersey Devils vs Carolina Hurricanes odds, picks, and predictions

The New Jersey Devils (27-44-9) visit PNC Arena in Raleigh on Thursday to face the Carolina Hurricanes (53-20-8). The puck will be dropped at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). The Devils, who have been eliminated from the playoffs for a long time, have lost four straight games and six of their previous seven. This includes a 3-2 overtime loss on April 23 in Newark.

With a win over the New York Rangers last time out, the Hurricanes clinched the Metropolitan Division title. Carolina has won five straight games, including three straight with Pyotr Kochetkov playing in for injured veterans Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta.

New Jersey Devils vs Carolina Hurricanes projected goalies

Pyotr Kochetkov (4-4-1, 3.56 GAA,.887 SV percent) vs. Andrew Hammond (4-4-1, 3.56 GAA,.887 SV percent) (3-0-0, 2.42 GAA, .902 SV percent ). A few weeks ago, the journeyman was acquired from the Montreal Canadiens. He's only won one of his six starts, and he's given up five or more goals in three of them. Kochetkov, a rookie, has done a fantastic job of filling in for the injured Andersen and Raanta. On the night the squad clinched the division title, who would have predicted Kochetkov to be the winning backstop?

After winning his first two road appearances and three outings overall, including a 3-2 overtime triumph in New Jersey last Saturday, this will be his first home start.

New Jersey Devils vs Carolina Hurricanes odds, lines, picks, and predictions

Prediction: Hurricanes 3, Devils 2