Canadiens vs Hurricanes Prediction 1/1/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Canadiens vs Hurricanes prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, January 1st at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview

The Montreal Canadiens are 21-12-6 this season after they defeated Florida in overtime by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Montreal trailed 2-0 in the third period, but they scored two late goals to tie it, before winning in overtime. The Canadiens were out shot by a total of 30-29, won 55.7% of the face-offs, and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Montreal got goals from Caufield and Suzuki (2), while Montembeault stopped 28 out of 30 shots, which was a .933 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Montreal lost to the Lightning by a score of 5-4, but did beat the Bruins by a score of 6-2 before that. The Canadiens have won four of their last six games and they are currently third in the Atlantic standings with 48 points. Montreal has scored 3.28 goals per game and they have allowed 3.26 goals against per game, while also going 25.0% on the power play and 77.8% on the penalty kill this season. Nick Suzuki has led Montreal with 13 goals and 31 assists, while Cole Caufield has added 19 goals and 20 assists. The projected starting goalie for Montreal is Jakub Dobes, who is 12-5-3 with a 2.90 goals against average and an .894 save percentage this season. 

Carolina Hurricanes Betting Preview

The Carolina Hurricanes are 24-12-3 this year after they lost to Pittsburgh by a score of 5-1 in their last game. Carolina allowed the first five goals in the game and they never recovered in the blowout loss. The Hurricanes recorded 28 shots on goal, won 47.3% of the face-offs, and went 0-0 on the power play in the game. Carolina got their lone goal from Jankowski, while Andersen stopped 23 out of 28 shots, which was an .821 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Carolina defeated the Rangers by a score of 3-2 and the Red Wings by a score of 5-2. The Hurricanes have won two of their last three games and they are currently first in the Metro standings with 51 points. Carolina has scored 3.23 goals per game and they have allowed 2.90 goals against per game, while also going 17.8% on the power play and 79.6% on the penalty kill this season. Sebastian Aho has led Carolina with 14 goals and 21 assists, while Shayne Gostisbehere has added four goals and 25 assists. The projected starting goalie for Carolina is Brandon Bussi, who is 13-1-1 with a 2.08 goals against average and a .912 save percentage this year. 

Why the Carolina Hurricanes will win

• The Hurricanes have won each of their last 12 games against the Canadiens at Lenovo Center.
• The Canadiens have lost 13 of their last 14 night games at Lenovo Center.
• The Hurricanes have covered the puck line in each of their last seven games against the Canadiens at Lenovo Center.
• The Canadiens have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 11 night games at Lenovo Center.
• The Canadiens have lost the third period in each of their last seven night games at Lenovo Center when trailing after the second period.

Why the Montreal Canadiens will win

• The Canadiens have won each of their last three games as road underdogs after coming off overtime.
• The Hurricanes have lost each of their last three games as home favorites following a road loss.
• The Canadiens have covered the puck line in each of their last 10 games as road underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Hurricanes have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Canadiens have won the third period in each of their last four games as road underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents when trailing after the second period.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Hurricanes’ last four games against the Canadiens following a road loss have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Five of the Canadiens’ last six games following an overtime win have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last seven games at Lenovo Center.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in 12 of the Hurricanes’ last 13 Thursday night games at Lenovo Center.

Carolina Hurricanes Player Prop Facts

• Andrei Svechnikov has scored at least one goal in four of the Hurricanes’ last five games against the Canadiens at Lenovo Center.
• Andrei Svechnikov has scored the last goal in four of the Hurricanes’ last five games against the Canadiens at Lenovo Center.
• Sebastian Aho has recorded an assist in each of the Hurricanes’ last four games against Atlantic Division opponents at Lenovo Center.

Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts

• Oliver Kapanen has scored a goal in four of the Canadiens’ last five road games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Ivan Demidov has recorded an assist in seven of the Canadiens’ last eight games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.

Canadiens vs Hurricanes Prediction 

Carolina comes into this matchup after winning two of their last three games, but they did just play very poorly against Pittsburgh. The Hurricanes are 13-6-1 at home this year, while the Canadiens are 11-3-5 on the road. Montreal has alternated wins and losses over their last five games and they have allowed two goals or fewer in all three of those wins. I think we are going to see a lower scoring game here, as Bussi has been very good in net for Carolina and the Hurricanes have been lower scoring in their last four. Take the under in this contest.

David Racey's Pick: Under 6.5