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2010 NHL Predictions: Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes are a huge sleeper coming into this season.  Last year they missed the playoffs and were the worst team in the NHL in the first half of the season. It may come as a surprise, but this is exactly the reason the Hurricanes are one of my highest value teams for the early going of this season. Last year the Carolina Hurricanes were marred by injury unlike anything I have seen, it seemed roughly 1/3 of the team was shelved at one time and those that were healthy just stopped playing. Whether it was the coaches fault or not, eventually Peter Laviolette got blamed and was fired in early December.

Present Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice took over the job and in early Jan. The Hurricanes were just 11-23-7 and were a virtual lock to figure in the NHL’s entry draft lottery. But the Carolina Hurricanes went 25-14-3 in the second half of the season putting up 51 points. Only the Washington Capitals had more points than the Hurricanes after the half-way point and Carolina almost snuck back into the playoff picture despite their horrendous start.

With both the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Atlanta Thrashers improved the Hurricanes know they need a more balanced year this season. Look at their early results two wins in two attempts both as a relatively large dog to a team they in the Minnesota Wild that they are clearly better than.

Simply put this team is much better than the public perceives them to be. If we go back over the last five season the Hurricanes have put up, 112, 88, 92, 97, 80 total points for an average points total of 94 points which likely makes them a playoff team this season. (it would have put them 4th in the East last year)

Looking at the Odds

Bodog lists the Hurricanes as 65 to 1 odds of winning the Stanley Cup.

I am not going to say take the Hurricanes as a dark horse team to win the cup but I already see a trend developing the Hurricanes are being under-estimated based on last season which certainly had some extenuating circumstances.

This team got it’s identity back when Paul Maurice came back to town they are a blue collar team that relies on a combo of smart defensive play and good goaltending from standout goalie Cam Ward.

I like them to go over the 85 point mark and think this team has a strong chance of going back to the post-season but if nothing else know in the first half of the season when teams are prone to maybe take games to lightly or look past a weaker team the Carolina Hurricanes are not a team I would bet against.

Remember to check back often for expert hockey picks from the best handicappers in the business.  They know the NHL lines inside and out and can help you on your way to another winning season!