Going with the underdog in this potential elimination game for the Devils. Best of luck tonight everyone!

NHL Record: 1-1 (+0.00 Units) on posted NHL picks this season.

New Jersey Devils @ Carolina Hurricanes (6:30PM CST)
My Pick: New Jersey Devils +1.5 (-113)

New Jersey finds themselves in an elimination spot this evening and this isn't the first time we've seen them here. In fact, two seasons ago they were in this exact spot against Carolina - fifth game of the series as a road underdog where both teams were on one day of rest after winning only the third game in the series and aren't playing a day game - they still lost that game 3-2, but did manage to cover the puck line in it. Other Eastern Conference teams have found themselves in that very same spot before as well - both against Carolina and other divisional opponents - of the four times it's happened the underdog has covered the puck line every single time and even won two of those games straight up. In general, the fifth game of a playoff series hasn't been too kind to home favorites in the Eastern Conference when facing divisional opponents. They're just 17-13 SU (56.7%) and 6-24 against the puck line (20.0%). But, it's been even worse when teams are in the spot that Carolina is in tonight. When those teams are a favorite above the -200 mark they're 0-4 against the puck line (0%) and lost all four of those games straight up. When those teams are coming off a road win as a favorite they're 0-7 against the puck line and only won three of those games straight up. Backing the Devils is a bit difficult with how poorly they've played in this series, but game 5's have been favorable for the underdog against the puck line in the past and with it being do-or-die for the Devils tonight I think they stand a decent chance at winning this game straight up. At the very least, they should put up enough of a fight to keep this game low scoring and close. With that in mind, I'll be taking New Jersey on the puck line here.