The Carolina Hurricanes (47-28-5, 37-43 PL, 32-42-6 O/U) meet the Montreal Canadiens (39-32-7-4, 46-35 PL, 40-36-5 O/U) in the last game of the regular season on Thursday evening, and we have you covered with the prediction. The Hurricanes were dealt a loss against the Maple Leafs in their recent game. The Canadiens were dealt a home loss against the Blackhawks. The season series is 1-1.
Can the Canadiens win their last game of the regular season? Keep reading for the Hurricanes vs. Canadiens prediction
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Carolina Hopes to End Season Healthy
The Carolina Hurricanes enter the last game of the regular season just hoping to avoid injuries. Carolina secured 2nd place in the Metro division weeks ago and will be playing the Devils in the first round. The squad has been shaky, posting a 1-5 mark in their past six games. They lost clashes against the Sabres and Capitals last week. Next, the Hurricanes beat the Rangers on the weekend and were dealt a 4-1 home loss by the Maple Leafs on Sunday.
Sebastian Aho has been solid. The veteran center has amassed four points in his past four games. Aho has recorded 74 points on the season. He has one point in two games against the Canadiens this season. Seth Jarvis is clicking, posting nine points on the month. The 23-year-old center is having an outstanding season, issuing 67 points.
Andrei Svechnikov has been kept to just one point in his past five games. The 25-year-old winger is having a bit of a disappointing season, managing only 46 points. Jack Roslovic has only netted three points in April. The 28-year-old center has 38 points on the season.
The Hurricanes have some of the best goaltending in the entire NHL. They are sharing the duties with Pyotr Kochketkov and Frederik Andersen. Kochketkov has played the most games and has a 2.59 GAA and a .898 save % and a 27-15-3 record. Andersen has delivered a 2.59 GAA, a .907 save % on the season. He is expected to be in the cage in the playoffs.
Carolina is averaging 3.2 goals per game, ranking them eighth. The Hurricanes are conceding an average of 2.7 goals, placing them ninth.
Montreal Can't Secure Playoff Spot in Home Defeat
The Montreal Canadiens are in the last wildcard spot. The Canadiens stand four points ahead of the Blue Jackets in the last wildcard spot entering Tuesday night. If Columbus wins on Tuesday night, the Canadiens need a win or a Blue Jackets loss on Wednesday to secure the last spot. They would play the Leafs in the first round. Montreal is 2-3 in its past five games. They beat Detroit and dropped a road meeting against the Senators last week. Montreal lost 1-0 against the Maple Leafs this past weekend and was charged with a 3-2 shootout home loss by the Blackhawks on Monday. They would have clinched with a win in that one.
Nick Suzuki is enjoying the best season of his career. The 25-year-old center has accumulated 10 points this month. Suzuki now has 87 points on the season. He has been a threat against the Hurricanes, recording three points in two games. Cole Caufield has recorded at least one point in four of his past five games. The young winger is also having the best year of his young career, generating 69 points.
Alex Newhook has not been able to break out this season. The 24-year-old center has managed only two points this month and only has 26 points and a poor -21 rating on the year. Jake Evans has four points this month. The 28-year-old center has netted 35 points. He is pointless against the Hurricanes.
The Canadiens give most of the starts in the net to Sam Montembeault. The young netminder is sporting a 2.83 GAA and a .901 save %, accompanied by a 30-24-7 record on the season. Jakub Dobes is the backup. He has a 2.74 GAA and a solid .909 save % in 16 games.
Montreal is scoring an average of 3.0 goals per game, ranking them 18th. The Canadiens are squandering an average of 3.2 goals, placing them 24th.
Best Bets for Carolina Hurricanes vs. Montreal Canadiens
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
The Carolina Hurricanes have secured 2nd place and are just going through the motions to conclude the regular season. They have been struggling the past few weeks, posting a 1-5 record in their past six games. The Montreal Canadiens are a young, hungry squad.
Furthermore, the Canadiens have not secured a playoff spot just yet. A point in this one secures a playoff berth. If they lose in regulation, Columbus gets the last spot if they win on Thursday. Carolina should be resting key players. They are slumping, scoring either zero or one goal in three of their past five games. The Canadiens are playing solid defense, conceding two or fewer goals in four of their past six games.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
I expect a barrage of scoring. Carolina scored four goals in the recent meeting against the Canadiens last month. The Canadiens are not a solid defensive squad and have mediocre goaltending. They rank 29th in shots conceded per game
In addition, Montreal accumulated four goals in its only home meeting against the Hurricanes this season. The Hurricanes' defense has been exploited recently. They have squandered 20 goals in their past five games, including five vs. the Bruins. The over is 4-1 in the Hurricanes' past five road games.
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