Montreal Canadiens vs. Carolina Hurricanes Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The Montreal Canadiens face the Carolina Hurricanes with both teams looking to improve on rough seasons. The Canadiens have a 15-13-5 record and with only five wins in their last 10 games, they are near the bottom of the Atlantic Division while the Hurricanes have a 18-13-4 record and are in fifth place in the Metropolitan Division. Both teams look to improve in the Eastern Conference and the upcoming game should be a good one as a result.
Looking to win big this hockey season? We have the best NHL Picks to help you out!
Canadiens hope offense can turn a corner
The Canadiens offense has struggled all season, scoring only 2.79 goals per game but recently, they've turned a corner, scoring 16 goals in the last four games. Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield have scored 18 goals and 36 assists to lead the top line but the rest of the offense has stepped up as well recently. Sean Monahan, Brenden Gallagher, and Juraj Slafkovsky have combined for 18 goals and 26 assists while defenseman Mike Matheson has added five goals and 19 assists from the point to help open up the offense.
The offense has been stepped up recently but the defense has struggled, allowing 3.30 goals per game. Johnathan Kovacevic and Kaiden Guhle have combined for 2.7 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net with ease. The one bright spot has been the play of goaltender Samuel Mountembeault who has a .907 save percentage and a 2.86 goals-against average on 463 shots with 2.0 goals saved above average.
Hurricanes hope defense can rebound
The Hurricanes are having a rough season despite their offense stepping up and scoring 3.24 goals per game. Sebastian Aho and Martin Necas have scored 22 goals and 34 assists to lead the top line but the rest of the offense has also been great. Seth Jarvis, Michael Bunting, and Teuvo Teravainen have combined for 31 goals and 37 assists while defenseman Brady Skjei has added six goals and 15 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has been great but the defense continues to let the Hurricanes down, allowing 3.18 goals per game. Brent Burns and Jaccob Slavin have combined for 4.3 defensive point shares, but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to easily find open shots on the net. In addition, goaltender Pyotr Kotchetkov has struggled with a .894 save percentage and a 2.69 goals-against average on 416 shots with -3.6 goals saved above average.
We have the best betting sites in the world!
Thursday's Top Plays
Today's Top Plays
Scott Steehn - 7-2 NFL Totals Run - Snag Scott's NFL Total Of the Month For $29 -
Trent Pruitt - 25-11-3 NFL Run - Grab Trent's TNF Bet Of The Week For $29 -
Tom Macrina - 20-4-2 CFB Run - Snag Tom's Thursday CFB Best Bet For $29 -
David Hedss - 4-1 CFB Run - Snatch Up David's CFB Totals Annihilator For $29 -
Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
Rating:
The Hurricanes look to step up on their home ice but I like the Canadiens, who have won three of their last four games, to step up and control this game. The Canadiens should create plenty of scoring chances against the Hurricanes, who allow 3.18 goals per game, with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with centering and cross-ice passes. The Canadiens should limit the Hurricanes' offense with Johnathan Kovacevic and Kaiden Guhle stepping up at the blue line and cutting off angles to the net on the rush while limiting shooting lanes, allowing goaltender Samuel Mountembeault to make plenty of big saves. The Canadiens should win the game and provide great odds in the process as road Underdogs.
Take the Canadiens money line as road Underdogs.
Prediction: Canadiens (+220)
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
Rating:
Both teams have struggled defensively and I see this game being a high-scoring one from the opening puck drop. The Hurricanes, who average 3.24 goals per game, should create plenty of scoring chances against the Canadiens, who allow 3.30 goals per game, with Sebastian Aho, Martin Necas, and the rest of the forward unit controlling the puck in the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Canadiens, who have scored 16 goals in the last three games, should run up the score with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Sean Monahan, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net on the rush and creating open shots with effective puck movement while defenseman Mike Matheson generates shots on the net from the blue line. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game with both offenses stepping up.
Take the Over on 6.5 goals.
Prediction: Over 6.5
Mike Fink is a sports writer and a passionate football fan. After graduating from college, Fink picked up the passion he had since being a young child in following and covering all things sports and we are very excited to have him as a part of the StatSalt team. In recent weeks, Mike started a podcast which you can find on Spotify, called "The Mike and Grover Show" and it discusses all things football. He covers all forms of sports betting and also bets on all of the plays he gives out. Mike would advise hockey betting since the odds give you great payouts "Hockey is built to bet the Money Line Underdogs. Be sure and follow him on a daily basis.
