| MATCHUP | Montreal Canadiens | Carolina Hurricanes |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 48-24-10 | 53-22-7 |
| Spread | +1.5 -148 | -1.5 124 |
| Moneyline | +170 | -205 |
| Total | Over 5.5 (-130) | Under 5.5 (110) |
| Where | Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC | |
| When | Saturday, May 23, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EDT | |
| TV | TNT | |
Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview
The Montreal Canadiens look for a fifth straight road win to take a commanding 2-0 series lead. The Canadiens have won 6 of their last 9 games.
The Montreal Canadiens are averaging 3.27 goals per game and are scoring on 24.1 percent of their power play opportunities. Alex Newhook leads Montreal with 7 goals, Nick Suzuki has 12 assists and Juraj Slafkovsky has 44 shots on goal. Defensively, the Montreal Canadiens are allowing 2.67 goals per game and are killing 75 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jakub Dobes has given up 38 goals on 426 shots faced, and Jacob Fowler has allowed 1 goal on 2 shots.
Carolina Hurricanes Betting Preview
The Carolina Hurricanes need a win to even up the series at 1-1. The Hurricanes haven’t lost back-to-back games since January 12-13.
The Carolina Hurricanes are averaging 2.89 goals per game and are scoring on 12.8 percent of their power play opportunities. Logan Stankoven leads Carolina with 7 goals, Taylor Hall has 9 assists, and Andrei Svechnikov has 27 shots on goal. Defensively, the Carolina Hurricanes are allowing 1.78 goals per game and are killing 95.2 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Frederik Andersen has given up 15 goals on 222 shots faced.
Why the Carolina Hurricanes will win
- The Hurricanes have won each of their last 10 night games following a loss.
- The Canadiens have lost 12 of their last 15 night games at Lenovo Center.
- The Hurricanes have covered the puck line in 10 of their last 11 games as favorites following a home loss.
- The Hurricanes have won the third period in eight of their last nine night games against the Canadiens when leading after the second period.
Why the Montreal Canadiens will win
- The Canadiens have won 13 of their last 15 games as road underdogs.
- The Canadiens have covered the puck line in each of their last 10 games as road underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Hurricanes have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six night games at Lenovo Center.
- The Canadiens have won the second period in seven of their last eight games as road underdogs when trailing after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Hurricanes’ last six games as favorites following a loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Three of the Canadiens’ last four games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Hurricanes’ last eight games at Lenovo Center against opponents on a winning streak.
Carolina Hurricanes Player Prop Facts
- Andrei Svechnikov has scored at least one goal in five of the Hurricanes’ last six home games against the Canadiens.
- Taylor Hall has recorded at least one assist in each of the Hurricanes’ last eight Saturday games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Andrei Svechnikov has recorded four assists against the Canadiens this season—equal to his most against any opponent.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Cole Caufield has scored a goal in each of the Canadiens’ last four games as underdogs against the Hurricanes.
- Juraj Slafkovsky has recorded an assist in each of the Canadiens’ last four games as underdogs against the Hurricanes.
- Jake Evans has recorded a positive plus/minus rating in each of his last seven appearances—the longest active streak in the league.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Carolina Hurricanes rank 4th in the league in power play percentage this season (24.90%).
- The Carolina Hurricanes rank T5th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.88).
- The Montreal Canadiens are one of only three teams to win 30+ games when tied or trailing after Period 1 this season.
- The Montreal Canadiens are one of only three teams with two or more players to record at least 60 assists this season (Nick Suzuki, Lane Hutson).
Montreal Canadiens vs Carolina Hurricanes Injury Report
The Hurricanes don’t have any players listed on their injury report.
The Habs will be without Patrik Laine due to an abdominal issue.
Montreal Canadiens vs Carolina Hurricanes Prediction
The Hurricanes have been the most consistent team in the postseason and you shouldn’t let one game erase all of that. However, as I’ve said all postseason, the Habs have been fantastic on the road and keep getting disrespected by oddsmakers. We’ve cashed a lot of underdog tickets in spots just like this. The Canadiens have 31 road wins overall this season and have won 4 straight road games in these playoffs. Also, the Canadiens have won 5 straight games against the Hurricanes and have outscored them 25-12 during this span. Maybe the Habs have the Canes’ number? I kind of expect the Hurricanes to bounce back on their home ice, but we’re getting almost two times our money with the Habs. I have to take it.