NHL: Boston Bruins vs Carolina Hurricanes odds, picks, and predictions

At PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, the Boston Bruins and the Carolina Hurricanes will square off in Game 1 of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series, which begins on Monday. The puck will be dropped at 7 p.m. Eastern Time (ESPN). The Bruins finished with 107 points, which was only good enough for fourth place in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division and a wild card berth for the second straight season. The Bruins finished the season with a record of 25-13-3 on the road, good for a plus-34 goal differential on the year. It was a franchise-best 116 points and a plus-76 goal differential that helped the Hurricanes win the Metropolitan Division and finish second in the Eastern Conference in both categories this season. Carolina swept Boston in three regular-season games, outscoring the Bruins by a combined score of 16-1 in the process.

Boston Bruins vs Carolina Hurricanes projected goalies

The matchup pits Linus Ullmark (26-10-2 with 2.45 goals-against average,.917 save percentage, and one shorthanded goal during the regular season) against Antti Raanta (15-5-4 with 2 goals-against average,.912 save percentage, and two shorthanded goals during the regular season). During the regular season, Ullmark faced the Hurricanes twice, making one start and one relief appearance, going 0-1-0 with a 4.80 GAA and an.877 save percentage. 

In 20 road starts, he went 12-7-1 with a 2.47 goals-against average and a.920 save percentage. With G Frederik Andersen ruled out for Game 1, Raanta is expected to take the field. During the regular season, Raanta did not play against the Bruins. He was 10-2-1 on his home ice, posting a sparkling 2.06 goals-against average and a.924 save percentage, as well as two shutouts.

Boston Bruins vs Carolina Hurricanes picks and predictions

Prediction: Hurricanes 3, Bruins 2