The Montreal Canadiens (40-21-10) and Carolina Hurricanes (46-20-6) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 5:00 p.m. EDT at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Hurricanes are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6.5 (-101o / -118u). The Hurricanes are a -173 favorite to win outright, while the Canadiens are +145 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Canadiens vs. Hurricanes predictions and NHL picks.
Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Odds, Pick
| Canadiens Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -165 | 6.5 -101o / -118u | +145 |
| Hurricanes Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +138 | 6.5 -101o / -118u | -173 |
- Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Spread: Hurricanes -1.5 (+138 ), Canadiens +1.5 (-165)
- Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Over/Under: 6.5 (-101o / -118u)
- Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Moneyline: Canadiens +145, Hurricanes -173
Canadiens vs Hurricanes Kalshi Odds
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Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Preview
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens have won four straight, and the timing couldn’t be better with the Bruins keeping pace in the tight Atlantic Division. Boston is two points behind Montreal, which currently holds the third spot in the division.
There’s also some added intrigue in this matchup. If Montreal slides into a Wild Card spot over the last couple of weeks, this game against Carolina could end up being a glimpse of a first-round series.
The Canadiens are firing on all cylinders right now, going 7-3-0 over their last 10 games. They rank fifth in xGF and sixth in xGA over that span and have translated that to 3.27 GF/60 and 2.28 GA/60.
It’s also come against quality opponents. Over the last week and a half, Montreal has knocked off the Bruins, Islanders, Hurricanes, and Blue Jackets, posting a +10 goal differential while allowing two or fewer goals four times.
Goaltending had been a major concern for much of the season, but lately it’s become a strength thanks to Jakub Dobes.
Over his last 10, he ranks third in GSAx with a +9.0 mark, along with a .908 SV%. He’s been even sharper recently, posting a .944 SV% and 1.73 GAA over his last four starts.
Dobes also delivered a career performance against Carolina this week, stopping 41 of 43 shots. With Jacob Fowler handling the front end of the back-to-back in Nashville last night, Dobes will almost certainly get the start here.
Carolina Hurricanes
With 10 games to go, Carolina sits atop the Eastern Conference, tied with Buffalo in points but holding two games in hand.
It’s been an impressive season wire-to-wire for the Hurricanes. They rank first in xGF and third in xGA, though things have been a bit shaky lately, with 35 goals allowed over their last 10 games.
The offense has helped offset that. Over that same stretch, Carolina owns a 60.2 xGF%, has scored 3.54 G/60, and created 17.3 high-danger chances per game.
Seth Jarvis has at least a point in five straight games, while Nikolaj Ehlers has a goal in three consecutive games.
With Carolina also on the second half of a back-to-back, Frederik Andersen is expected to start. He’s 4-1 in his last five games but has a .866 SV% over that stretch, including allowing four goals on just 18 shots against this Montreal team just five days ago.
Carolina has done an excellent job limiting shot volume this season, allowing the fewest shots on goal in the league. Still, I have concerns about the Andersen–Bussi tandem heading into the playoffs. For a team at the top of the conference and strong in nearly every other area, I think there’s a good chance it holds them back.
Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Prediction
The Canadiens have actually won both meetings against Carolina this season, including a convincing 5-2 win just five days ago, scoring 12 goals across those two games.
That said, it’s a tough spot for Montreal this time, playing the second leg of a back-to-back on the road against a Carolina team that’s 26-9-2 at home, the second-best mark in the league.
I wouldn’t disagree with the logic of backing Montreal, especially since their goaltending has turned into a real strength lately, but this feels like Carolina’s spot. For that reason, I like them to cover the puck line.
Pick: Hurricanes -1.5 (+138)
