Hurricanes vs. Canadiens Picks: Habs Continue to Struggle
The Canadiens have dropped four straight to start the season and haven't been able to find the back of the net with consistency. Things won't be any easier for them Thursday as a home underdog against the Hurricanes.
The struggling Montreal Canadiens continue their homestand against the Carolina Hurricanes at the Bell Centre on Thursday night. Montreal (0-4 straight up, 0-3-1 Over/Under) is looking for its first win of the season in a game that will see former Canadiens forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi make his return to Montreal.
The Habs were blanked by the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night and are looking to bounce back as a home underdog, while the road favorite Hurricanes are going for their third consecutive win to start the season.
Here are my picks and predictions for Thursday’s NHL matchup between the Hurricanes and Canadiens (odds via DraftKings).
Hurricanes vs. Canadiens Game Info
Date/Time: 7 p.m. ETTV: RDS, TSN2, BSSOLocation: Bell Centre, Montreal, QC
Hurricanes vs. Canadiens Odds Analysis
The Hurricanes are slight favorites on the road at -120 on the moneyline, while the home underdog Canadiens are +100 on the ML.
The total for this game is set at the usual 5.5 goals, but the Over is -120 while the Under is even money at +100.
Hurricanes vs. Canadiens Picks
Hurricanes -120Under 5.5 Goals (+100)Canadiens Team Total (Excluding OT) Under 2.5 (+105)
Hurricanes vs. Canadiens Predictions
Hurricanes -120
The line seems very off for this game. Sure, the Canadiens are at home and have revenge on their minds after Carolina stole Kotkanemi from them via an offer sheet this offseason. But they’re still the Canadiens, who are without Carey Price and Shea Weber, and have yet to win a game this season.
The Hurricanes showed they can win on the road with a 3-2 victory in Nashville on Saturday. They have also had four days off since then. So, while this is their second straight road game, it's really the start of a two-game trip.
Carolina is a perfect 2-0 this season with a 6-3 win against the Islanders before its win in Nashville. Montreal has yet to figure things out, scoring three goals combined across its first four games.
The Hurricanes will roll in this matchup, making Carolina -1.5 (+190) worth a look on the puck line as well.
Under 5.5 Goals (+100)
The Canadiens have scored the fewest goals in the NHL and have converted on 2.6 percent of their shot attempts, which is also a league-low mark. They are coming off a 5-0 loss to the Sharks and have been outscored 15-3 across their four games.
Carolina had its way with the Islanders in its home opener but struggled in the 3-2 win over the Predators. They may be able to put up goals like the Sharks did, but I like the +100 odds of the Under 5.5 here.
Canadiens Team Total (Excluding OT) Under 2.5 (+105)
The theme of this game continues. The Canadiens have not been able to score this season. I’m not sure if they’ll be able to against a team that allowed two or fewer goals in regulation in 29 of 56 games last season (and two of three games this year).
Montreal has three goals this season and won’t match that against a defensively sound Carolina team.
