PNC Arena plays host to an Eastern Conference tilt as the Montreal Canadiens visit Raleigh to meet the Carolina Hurricanes. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 27, and it can be watched live on Reseau Des Sports.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Carolina Hurricanes Odds
Montreal (+115) is playing the role of underdog to Carolina (-135), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The odds for betting that total stand at -105 money on the over and -115 on the under.
Losing -4.4 units for moneyline bettors, the Hurricanes are 16-19 straight up (SU) overall this year. That early-season winning percentage is right in line with what the team posted during last years regular season (36-46). Of its 35 games this season, 17 have gone over the total, while 16 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team is 8-7 SU at home this year.
Carolina has converted on just 15.5 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that places the team in the bottom-5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 27th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 77.3 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Carolina has been whistled for penalties just 2.9 times per game overall this season, 3.4 per game over its last five matchups total, and 3.2 per game over its last five home outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 7.1 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 24.5 saves per game with a .896 save percentage, Scott Darling (eight wins, 16 losses, and six OT losses) has been the best goalkeeper for the Hurricanes this year. If they decide to give him a breather, however, head coach Bill Peters may go with Cam Ward (8-4-4 record, .911 save percentage, 2.79 goals against average).
Teuvo Teravainen and Jeff Skinner will both lead the offensive attack for the Hurricanes. Teravainen (28 points) has produced eight goals and 20 assists and has recorded multiple points on six separate occasions this year. Skinner has 12 goals and 14 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 20 games.
On the other side of the rink, Montreal is 16-20 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 36 regular season contests, 18 of its games have gone under the total, while 16 have gone over and just two have pushed. Montreal’s 7-10 SU as the road team this season.
Montreal has converted on 19.1 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 27th overall and it’s successfully killed off 77.1 percent of all penalties.
Montreal’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 3.9 times per game this season, and 3.2 per game over their last five road outings. The team has had to kill penalties just 7.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Carey Price (26.9 saves per game) has been the main option in the net for Montreal. Price owns an 11-12-2 record, while registering a .904 save percentage and 3.04 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Canadiens, the offense will run through Phillip Danault (seven goals, 14 assists) and Alex Galchenyuk (eight goals, 12 assists).
Montreal Canadiens vs. Carolina Hurricanes Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Carolina (3-3 in shootouts) has more shootout experience coming into this one. Montreal has only participated in two shootouts this year, winning one and losing the other.
- The total has gone over in three of Carolina’s last five games.
- Two teams that fire the puck on goal a lot, Montreal has registered the leagues eighth-most shots on goal (33.8) while Carolina has attempted the second-most (34.7). The Habs have averaged 30.0 shot attempts over their last five road games and the Canes have taken 38.4 shots over their last five home outings.
- Montreal skaters have accounted for the leagues third-most hits per game (24.7), but the teams averaged just 18.2 hits over their last five away games.
