The Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils meet at Lenovo Center for a season opener on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

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With the puck dropping for the start of the NHL season, here's who we project to secure the win in Thursday's action.

Our computer model for this encounter predicts a final result of Hurricanes 4, Devils 2.

The Hurricanes went 7-6-13 in overtime matchups last season to contribute to an overall record of 47-30-5.
Carolina picked up 31 points (14-4-3) in the 21 games it played that were decided by one goal.
In the nine games last season the Hurricanes scored only one goal, they lost every time.
Carolina scored exactly two goals in 19 games last season (5-11-3 record, 13 points).
The Hurricanes scored three or more goals 62 times, and went 51-8-3 in those games (to register 105 points).
In the 32 games when Carolina scored a lone power-play goal, it had a 17-12-3 record (37 points).
In the 75 games when it outshot its opponent, Carolina was 44-26-5 (93 points).
The Hurricanes were outshot by their opponent 20 times, and went 10-9-1 (21 points).

The Devils (42-33-7 overall) posted a record of 7-8-15 in games that needed OT last season.
New Jersey accumulated 28 points (11-9-6) in its 26 games that finished with a one-goal margin.
Last season the Devils registered only one goal in nine games, and they picked up two points (0-7-2).
When New Jersey scored a pair of goals last season, they amassed seven points (3-13-1 record).
The Devils scored three or more goals 52 times, accumulating 85 points (40-7-5).
Last season New Jersey recorded a single power-play goal in 22 games, posting a record of 13-7-2.
When it outshot its opponent last season, New Jersey posted a record of 29-22-2 (60 points).
The Devils were outshot by their opponents 34 times last season, and took 34 points from those games.

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