New Jersey visits Carolina to begin the NHL Playoffs

New Jersey Devils (42-33-7, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (47-30-5, in the Metropolitan Division)

Raleigh, North Carolina; Sunday, 3 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Hurricanes -211, Devils +173; over/under is 5.5

NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Hurricanes host series opener

BOTTOM LINE: The Carolina Hurricanes host the New Jersey Devils in game one of the Eastern Conference first round. The teams meet Saturday for the fifth time this season. The teams tied the regular season series 2-2. In their last regular season meeting on Dec. 28, the Hurricanes won 5-2.

Carolina is 47-30-5 overall with an 18-4-4 record against the Metropolitan Division. The Hurricanes rank ninth in NHL play with 266 total goals (averaging 3.2 per game).

New Jersey is 14-9-3 against the Metropolitan Division and 42-33-7 overall. The Devils have a 12-18-1 record in games their opponents serve fewer penalty minutes.

TOP PERFORMERS: Seth Jarvis has 32 goals and 35 assists for the Hurricanes. Jackson Blake has five goals and one assist over the past 10 games.

Jesper Bratt has 21 goals and 67 assists for the Devils. Nico Hischier has scored five goals with six assists over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Hurricanes: 3-6-1, averaging 3.4 goals, 5.3 assists, 4.7 penalties and 14.5 penalty minutes while giving up 3.8 goals per game.

Devils: 5-5-0, averaging 2.7 goals, 4.7 assists, 2.9 penalties and 6.4 penalty minutes while giving up three goals per game.

INJURIES: Hurricanes: None listed.

Devils: None listed.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.