NHL Playoffs Odds: Carolina at Pittsburgh

The Penguins play host to the Hurricanes tonight in game one of the Eastern Conference finals. (AP Images)"]

The subplots are very intriguing as the Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins begin the Eastern Conference finals tonight.

First of all, whoever the winner is will return to the Stanley Cup finals for at least the second time in four seasons.

Then you have the Staal brothers.

For the first time in 35 years, brothers are opposing each other in a conference final, with Carolina's Eric and Pittsburgh's Jordan.

Carolina's Paul Maurice and Pittsburgh's Dan Bylsma each could become the first coach since New Jersey's Larry Robinson in 2000 to win the Cup after taking over during the season.

The big worry for the Hurricanes will be slowing down the Penguins offense. Pittsburgh is averaging 3.46 goals to the Hurricanes' 2.36, and Carolina leading scorer Staal has only one more point than Sidney Crosby has goals.

The home team is 9-2 in the last 11 meetings between these teams.

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