NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Canadiens vs Hurricanes (Thursday, December 28)
Via Matt Garies/Getty Images. Pictured: Nick Suzuki #14 of the Montreal Canadiens skates during the warm-up of the NHL regular season game between the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Islanders at the Bell Centre on December 16, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Odds
| Canadiens Odds | +202 |
| Hurricanes Odds | -250 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 +110 / -134 |
Here's everything you need to know about Canadiens vs. Hurricanes on Thursday, Dec. 28 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
Inconsistency has run wild in Montreal, as the Canadiens have yet to build any solid momentum this season at sixth in the Atlantic Division.
The Hurricanes showed how dominant they can be with a convincing 5-2 victory against Nashville on Wednesday night. The win was much needed because the Canes lost two in a row heading into the holiday break. They’ll hope to get back on the wagon as they just snuck back into fourth in the Metropolitan Division.
Let's dig into the NHL odds and make a Canadiens vs Hurricanes prediction and pick.
The Canadiens are still figuring themselves out. Captain Nick Suzuki is leading the charge with 30 points, but no one else has made a huge impact. Cole Caufield and Mike Matheson are the second- and third-leading scorers, and Sean Monahan isn’t too far behind. There just isn’t anything else that pops out for the Habs.
Consequently, it should be no surprise that they’re so ineffective at 5-on-5. They rank 29th in Expected Goals with a 46.63 xGF% and a 2.94 xGA/60.
Special teams have also been unkind to the Habs. They score on the power play at an okay 17.6% rate, but the penalty kill is fifth worst with a 73% Success Rate.
Montreal has relied on Sam Montembeault, and he hasn’t disappointed. Even though the Habs have rolled out a three-man goalie rotation as of late, I’d expect to see Montembeault start on Thursday. He’s having the best season of his career so far as he is playing to a .907 SV% and a +1.7 Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx).
Although Carolina’s season has been strange, its top guys have shown up. Sebastian Aho is averaging a point per game and hasn’t slowed down, while Seth Jarvis and Teuvo Teravainen are providing more than enough goals. The wealth has been spread in Raleigh, but this hasn't resulted in enough wins.
The Hurricanes thrive at even-strength play as they rank fourth with a 54.73 xGF% and fifth defensively with a 2.38 xGA/60.
Ready to get in on the Hurricanes betting action in North Carolina? You’ll soon be able to join in on NC sports betting, with the state expected to come online in 2024.
Along with 5-on-5 play, special teams are a big part of their game. The Canes put on a masterclass in the power play on Wednesday night, and for the season, they are scoring at over a 25% clip. They’re exceptional on the penalty kill as well with an 82.7% Success Rate.
Since Pyotr Kochetkov started last night, I would expect Antti Raanta to start tonight. Raanta’s season has not gone as planned, as he was waived by Carolina earlier this month. Now that he has been recalled, he’ll probably see the ice on Thursday night. His numbers are gross as he is playing to an .854 SV% and a -9.4 GSAx.
Canadiens vs. Hurricanes
Betting Pick & Prediction
Extended breaks can be counterproductive. As much as the players need it, there’s a good chance they can come out sluggish. The Hurricanes got that out of the way and handily defeated the Predators on Wednesday night.
However, the Canadiens are in a precarious position. They didn’t play last night, and you can never count on the Habs for a sure bet. I'm approaching this game with some caution because Carolina is playing the second leg of back-to-back games, so tired legs could be a factor here.
From top to bottom, the Hurricanes are the superior team. However, they have underachieved relative to their expectations because the Metro is a tough division, and goaltending has been very rough.
Especially if Raanta starts, there’s a good chance that this is a high-scoring bout. You saw his numbers — they’re horrendous. While I have faith in Montembeault, I have more faith in the powerhouse that is the Hurricanes.
The Habs aren’t terrible on the penalty kill and average 11.5 penalty minutes per game – which gives ample opportunities for a red-hot Carolina power play.
Pick: Over 6.5 Goals +110
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