Carolina at Minnesota

Carolina focuses on defense first, with the offense #26 in goals scored, #21 on the power play. They have scored 18 goals the last nine games, on a 13-4 run UNDER the total, including 10-2 UNDER against the Western Conference. But the team has won two of three, including 4-1 at Philadelphia as a +130 dog, allowing just five goals the last three contests. Carolina has plenty of motivation, just two points behind Columbus for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward is 3-1-3 with a 2.94 goals-against average versus Minnesota. Minnesota is favored but has lost two of three despite being favored in all three. That included a pair of ugly losses to Arizona (5-3) and Colorado (7-1), so back the hungry dog in a slow-paced defensive duel. Play Carolina and the UNDER.