New Jersey Devils vs Carolina Hurricanes Prediction

New Jersey Devils vs Carolina Hurricanes Prediction - March 28, 2026

Note: Final picks on our picks page may differ from this article's prediction, as they incorporate last-minute goalie confirmations, injury updates, and live odds closer to game time. Always check the picks page for the most up-to-date selections.

The New Jersey Devils travel to Carolina to face the Hurricanes in what promises to be a tightly contested matchup between two teams in strong form. Both clubs have built momentum heading into late March, and the advanced metrics suggest this will come down to execution and goaltending. Our Devils vs Hurricanes prediction leans slightly toward New Jersey, but this is one of the closest calls of the week.

Team Form & Recent Performance

New Jersey has been exceptional lately, posting a 4-1 record over their last five games with no back-to-back concerns entering this contest. The Devils have found their rhythm offensively while maintaining solid defensive structure, and they're arriving in Raleigh with genuine confidence.

Carolina enters with a 3-2 mark in their last five games and enjoys an advantage in terms of rest, having three days between games compared to New Jersey's one day. The Hurricanes' recent form is respectable but slightly less dominant than the Devils' current trajectory. Neither team is fatigued by back-to-back play, so this matchup will be decided by straight-up execution and puck management.

Advanced Stats Comparison

This is where the analysis becomes interesting. Carolina holds a modest edge in Corsi percentage (60.17% vs. 55.96%), suggesting they've controlled play and generated more shot attempts at even strength. However, the Devils' expected goals percentage (xGF% of 58.45%) is nearly identical to Carolina's 60.18%—a virtual dead heat in shot quality.

The most telling stat is high-danger chances, where New Jersey's 55.14% HDCF% trails Carolina's 58.53%. This indicates the Hurricanes have been slightly more efficient at generating dangerous scoring opportunities in recent games. Yet the Devils' underlying numbers across multiple metrics remain elite, suggesting they've been slightly unlucky or that their goaltending has been exceptional. Either way, both teams possess legitimate offensive firepower and sound defensive systems.

Goalie Matchup

Jacob Markstrom (22-16-1) takes the net for New Jersey and has posted a serviceable record this season. Carolina counters with Bussi (26-6-1), who has been one of the better goaltenders in the league with a significantly superior win-loss record. Bussi's credentials give the Hurricanes an edge in this matchup, and his recent form has been outstanding. However, Markstrom has the tools to keep the Devils in any game, and he'll face a motivated offensive unit looking to impose their will early.

Goalscorer Picks

Jack Hughes remains the logical anytime goalscorer pick for New Jersey. The young star continues to be heavily involved in high-danger situations and should see premium minutes against Carolina's defense. For a value play, Jesper Bratt offers intriguing odds given his recent consistency and ability to find loose pucks in the crease.

Sebastian Aho is Carolina's primary offensive weapon and will lead the charge for the home team. Seth Jarvis deserves consideration as a dark horse pick, as he's been generating legitimate scoring chances and offers better value than the chalk options.

Prediction

According to WP Hockey Predictor's advanced algorithm, the New Jersey Devils win probability sits at 50.1%, while the Carolina Hurricanes check in at 49.9%. Our Devils Hurricanes pick favors New Jersey by the slimmest of margins.

This is essentially a coin flip, but the Devils' exceptional recent form (4-1 in last five) combined with their elite underlying metrics across multiple categories gives them a razor-thin edge. Carolina's rest advantage and Bussi's superior record are meaningful, but they're offset by New Jersey's current momentum. This game could go either way, and bettors should approach it accordingly. Run your own prediction with different variables to see how changes affect the outcome.