In this article, we’ll outline our best Hurricanes vs. Canadiens prediction for Game 3, as well as the relevant betting notes for both teams, so you can place a winning wager with any of the best NHL betting sites.
After their defenders were seemingly incapable of making a correct read in Game 1, Carolina bounced back with a much more structured performance in Game 2 to knot the series at one. Chances are Carolina has already played its worst game of the series, but the Canadiens have shown strong resilience this postseason, having not lost two consecutive games to this point.
After losing our Game 2 prediction backing Montreal to win at +175, our Canadiens picks this postseason now stand at 8-5 and +7.45 units. We will look to get right by backing Nikolaj Ehlers to record over 2.5 shots on goal.
Hurricanes vs Canadiens Prediction: Nikolaj Ehlers Over 2.5 Shots on Goal -105 (Play to -110)
Ehlers over 2.5 SOG
The offseason signing of Nikolaj Ehlers is a key reason this year might finally be different for Carolina, as in the later stages in of previous postseasons during the Rod Brind’Amour era, the volume-driven offensive approach has fallen flat.
Game 2 was not far from being another trademark Eastern Conference Finals loss for the Hurricanes. Though the overall process appeared strong, Montreal dragged the game into overtime, but Ehlers’ game-breaking ability was enough to avoid another painful result in a game where Carolina controlled the majority of the run of play.
This seems to set up as a good spot to ride with Ehlers after his best performance of the postseason. The trio of Ehlers, Jordan Staal and Jordan Martinook has been Carolina’s best unit in the series and should continue to play in a lot of winnable line matchups.
Ehlers has averaged 6.11 shot attempts per game this postseason and is likely to continue seeing chances reach the target at higher rate. With its goaltending edge and ability to create highly dangerous chances against the run of play, Montreal may continue to make each game of the series competitive, but the Hurricanes seem likely to generate a lot of shots on target moving forward.
Ehlers has been a fairly streaky player historically, and this seems to be a good spot to ride with the dynamic winger, playing on a line that feels likely to continue driving play effectively in the series.
Hurricanes vs. Canadiens Odds
| Hurricanes Moneyline odds | (-140) |
| Canadiens Moneyline odds | (+120) |
| Puck Line Odds | Hurricanes -1.5 (+180) Canadiens +1.5 (-220) |
| Series Winner Odds | Canadiens (+180), Hurricanes (-220) |
| Goal Total | Over 5.5 goals (-130), Under 5.5 (+110) |
Odds courtesy of bet365.
Betting Carolina Hurricanes
Following a lengthy 12-day layoff, the Hurricanes beat themselves to some extent in Game 1 with a sloppy and disorganized performance. Blue-liners such as Jaccob Slavin and K’Andre Miller made countless poor reads, and the Canadiens did an excellent job of capitalizing on those miscues while playing lockdown defence themselves.
It always seemed likely that Carolina would deliver a sharper defensive performance in Game 2, and it allowed only seven high-danger scoring chances and 12 shots on goal. We don’t feel entirely foolish to have backed a +175 underdog in a game that did go to overtime, but it would to argue that Carolina was anything but a deserving winner.
As we discussed ahead of Game 2, though, despite their 9-1 record this postseason, the Hurricanes have played a ton of closely contested matchups. While their process has been strong, pulling away on the scoreboard continues to prove difficult, and that is a concern currently given that Frederik Andersen feels to be a meaningful question mark relative to counterpart Jakub Dobes.
Andersen holds a .788 save percentage in the series. Reviewing Montreal’s seven goals off Andersen in the series, he doesn’t appear to have played as poorly as his save percentage suggests, but it still feels clear which team has an edge in goal.
The narrative that the Hurricanes may be rusty in Game 1 was ultimately proven somewhat accurate, and their rest advantage may help them continue to push the pace and attempt to wear down a Canadiens side that has already grinded through two seven-game series.
It feels as though we know Carolina will generate more shots on goal and carry more of the overall run of play in each game of the series, but the key will be to remain organized when plays do turn the other way, and prevent an opportunistic side from hanging around in each matchup.
Betting Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens certainly did not have their best performance in Game 2, but it could be taken as a positive that they were still able to hang around and drag the game to overtime. Montreal has not yet lost two straight games this postseason and has, to this point replied effectively when its opponent seems to have garnered the momentum in the series.
Montreal has not generally carried more of the overall play this postseason, but it continues to do a good job of limiting backbreaking defensive mistakes and allowing Dobes the opportunity to handle a high output of medium-danger chances. It continues to feel as though if Dobes is set and square to a shooter, he is likely to make the save.
Lane Hutson’s health is currently a meaningful question mark entering this game after taking an awkward hit to the leg in Game 2. Hutson is arguably the team’s most important skater, averaging 25:44 this postseason, and if he is to be hampered by a potential injury it would be a significant concern.
The Canadiens’ power play has not yet made an impact on the series, which is another factor that could be taken as both a positive and a concern. They have hung around with a team that generally outplays the opposition heavily at even strength to this point, but will likely need the highly talented top unit to click effectively the rest of the way to find success.
Dobes has played to a +16.8 GSAx rating and .909 save percentage this postseason. He’s priced at +1400 to win the Conn Smythe, and if you are a believer in the Canadiens finishing off this magical run, that number looks to provide significantly more value than backing the Canadiens to win the Stanley Cup at +475.
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