Anaheim Ducks vs Carolina Hurricanes

With Carolina chasing a third straight win and sitting at 26-14-3 atop the Metro, the Hurricanes’ moneyline at -225 looks justified against a Ducks team that’s winless in seven (0-6-1) and has dropped 10 of its last 13 as its defensive structure has cratered. Anaheim has surrendered around five goals per game during this skid, now missing Vatrano’s scoring depth and likely leaning on Lukas Dostal behind an overtaxed blue line, while Mrazek remains on injured reserve; meanwhile, Carolina’s shot-driving core of Aho, Jarvis, Svechnikov, and Logan Stankoven continues to tilt the ice at home, and Brandon Bussi’s recent form gives the Canes a clear goaltending edge. Carolina already handled Anaheim 4-1 earlier this season behind a three-point night from Jarvis, and with both clubs past the 41-game mark, the stakes are sharper: the Canes protecting seeding, the Ducks trying not to lose touch with the West’s wild-card pack. The price is steep, which limits overall value, but combined with home ice, recent form, and Anaheim’s injury situation, the Hurricanes moneyline earns a B-grade recommendation. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 08/01/2026 09:47

The total leans high because Anaheim’s recent profile screams volatility: the Ducks are giving up a league-worst goals-against clip over their seven-game winless stretch, yet still generating north of three goals per game on the season, and now arrive in Raleigh with a leaky penalty kill and their depth scoring thinned by Vatrano’s shoulder fracture. Carolina, for its part, is averaging over three goals per night, drives one of the league’s best shot differentials, and just hung six on Dallas, with Svechnikov and Jarvis heating up and the power play sitting in the league’s middle tier but facing a bottom-third Ducks PK. Head-to-head this year finished 4-1 in Carolina’s favor, slightly under this number, but that was with Anaheim defending better than it is now; factor in the Ducks’ road fatigue, the Hurricanes’ push to bank points in the Metro race, and the likelihood that Anaheim has to open up if they trail, and this projects as another high-event game. The juice at -133 isn’t ideal and keeps this from being a premium edge, yet the combination of current defensive form, offensive talent on both sides, and game context nudges me to Over 6.5 for a B- grade. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 08/01/2026 09:47

Given the matchup dynamics, the puckline offers a more attractive risk-reward than laying -225 on the moneyline, with Carolina -1.5 at -110 aligned to how these teams are trending: the Hurricanes have outscored opponents comfortably in their last two, just beat Anaheim 4-1 earlier this season, and face a Ducks squad that has routinely lost by multiple goals during its current slide. Anaheim’s recent goals-against rate near five per game, Mrazek’s absence forcing Dostal and depth options into heavier duty, and a penalty kill sitting in the bottom quarter of the league all suggest that if the home side gets the first one, their forecheck and depth scoring from Aho, Jarvis, Svechnikov, and K’Andre Miller can snowball into separation. With both teams past midseason, Carolina has every incentive to step on a wounded opponent at home to solidify playoff positioning, while Anaheim’s fragile form makes a late pushback—and empty-net insurance for the Canes—more likely than a tight one-goal road grind. Balancing the higher variance of the puckline with the better payout relative to the moneyline, Carolina -1.5 at -110 grades out as a B. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 08/01/2026 09:47