Carolina Hurricanes center Martin Necas (88) is congratulated by center Sebastian Aho (20) after Necas scored the winning goal during an overtime period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers, Monday, March 1, 2021, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
- The Carolina Hurricanes are 1.5-goal favorites for their March 4th game with the Red Wings
- If the ‘Canes beat Detroit and Tampa Bay loses to Chicago, Carolina will be in first place in the Central Division
- Here are the odds, lines, and picks for each game, plus best bets
The Carolina Hurricanes continue to turn skeptics into believers this season when it comes to establishing their chances of winning the Stanley Cup.
When the season started, the ‘Canes were at +1900 to win the Stanley Cup. Today, with 39% of their season completed, Carolina is at +1300. By contrast, Stanley Cup favorite Tampa Bay’s odds have changed from +817 to +608.
Carolina is a 1.5-goal home favorite against the Detroit Red Wings, one of 10 NHL games being played on March 4. The ‘Canes are trying to win their fourth consecutive game. They are 4-3 against the spread at home this season.
NHL Odds March 4th
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Sabres | +139 | +1 (-108) | O 5.5 (+112) |
| New York Islanders | -162 | -1 (-110) | U 5.5 (-137) |
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| New York Rangers | -114 | -1.5(+220) | O 5.5 (-124) |
| New Jersey Devils | -103 | +1.5(-278) | U 5.5 (+102) |
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Detroit Red Wings | +222 | +1.5 (-120) | O 6 (-122) |
| Carolina Hurricanes | -265 | -1.5(+00) | U 6 (+100) |
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Philadelphia Flyers | -115 | -1 (+148) | O 6 (-120) |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | +100 | +1 (-177) | U 6 (+100) |
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Winnipeg Jets | +120 | +1.5 (-210) | O 6 (+100) |
| Montreal Canadiens | -139 | +1.5 (-170) | U 6 (-121) |
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | -220 | -1.5 (+115) | O 5.5 (-125) |
| Chicago Blackhawks | +180 | +1.5 (-135) | U 5.5 (+105) |
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Florida Panthers | -129 | -1.5 (+220) | O 6.5 (-107) |
| Nashville Predators | +106 | +1.5 (-275) | U 6.5 (-113) |
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | +135 | +1.5 (-180) | O 5.5 (+115) |
| Dallas Stars | -165 | -1.5 (+160) | U 5.5 (-135) |
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Ottawa Senators | +160 | +1.5 (-140) | O 6.0 (+105) |
| Calgary Flames | -200 | -1.5 (+120) | U 6.0 (-125) |
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | -162 | TBD | TBD |
| Vancouver Canucks | +135 | TBD | TBD |
Odds taken March 3rd at DraftKings and Bet365
High-scoring Jets Pay Off ATS
When it comes to beating the spread, no NHL team has been better than the Winnipeg Jets this season. They are 18-4 against the spread, including a 7-1 record ATS on the road this season.
That makes the Jets an intriguing betting option in their March 4 road game against the struggling Montreal Canadiens, who have lost seven of their last nine games. That includes two losses to the Jets. The Canadiens looked so out of sync during that period that coach Claude Julien was fired.
The Habs are 10-11 against the spread. That doesn’t paint an accurate picture because Montreal has given up three or more goals in six of their last seven games. Goalie Carey Price hasn’t been himself, although he did win his last start 3-1. The Habs fired the goalie coach as well.
Here’s Brendan Gallagher on Carey Price. These comments were made moments before the @CanadiensMTL fired goaltending coach Stephane Waite and appointed @SBurkie1 director of goaltending: pic.twitter.com/DP6D5kLZTS
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) March 3, 2021
What makes the Jets strong against the spread is a dangerous offense that is scoring at a rate of 3.36 goals per game and goalie Connor Hellebuyck stopping 91.5% of the shots he faces. The league average this season is 90.8%.
The Jets rank fourth in team scoring, thanks primarily to their scoring quartet of Mark Scheifele (11-20–31), Kyle Connor (11-11–22), Nikolaj Ehlers (11-11–22) and Blake Wheeler (7-16–23).
Pick: Jets: Moneyline (+120)
‘Canes Draw Comparisons to 2005-06 team
The Hurricanes rank seventh in goals per game (3.27), fourth on the power play (29.4%), fourth in faceoff percentage (53.9%) and 11th in goals-against average (2.73).
Most analysts say the ‘Canes talent on defense ranks in the top three of the league.
What the Hurricanes have shown this season is that they have considerable depth to complement stars like Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov. In terms of personnel, this Carolina team may have as much going for it as the 2005-06 Carolina team that won the Stanley Cup.
Sebastian Aho is good at hockey pic.twitter.com/CAh63iUjhY
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) February 21, 2021
Depending upon what the Tampa Bay Lightning do against the Blackhawks, the Hurricanes could move into first place if they beat the Red Wings.
The Red Wings have been more competitive than they were last season, but their record (7-15-3) doesn’t reflect that. Their biggest problem has been lack of scoring. They rank 30th in the NHL with an average of 2.08 goals per game. It doesn’t help their power play has a 9.9% success rate. Recently, they had a stretch when they were 0-for-40 on the power play. They’ve had too many lopsided losses. They rank 28th with a 3. 28 goals-against average.
Pick: Hurricanes -1.5 (+100)
Kevin Allen has covered most major events, including the Olympics, Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final. He covered the NHL for USA Today from 1986-2020, receiving the Lester Patrick Award in 2013 and was honored by the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2014 with the Elmer Ferguson Award.