Carolina Hurricanes are on the brink of winning the Eastern Conference Finals and reaching the Stanley Cup Finals if they can secure their second home win in the series against the Canadiens Friday at 8 pm ET.
The Hurricanes came out with a massive 4-0 victory over the Canadiens in Game 4 of the series on away grounds as four different goal scorers hit the back of the net, three in the first period alone.
With the Canes now in the Conference Finals for the second year in a row, they'll be fully fuelled to wrap this series up in five games, especially after a crucial shut-out win in Game four.
This is a must-win for the Canadiens, though, a team that completely dropped off in the last three straight games after an important road win in Game 1.
Even with Jakub Dobes saving 39 out of 42 shots last game for a 92.9 save percentage, it wasn't enough to keep the Canadiens level as the Canes ran away on the scoreline.
They've now posted a -6 GD in their last three games and will need incredible focus to keep their NHL playoff hopes alive.
Hurricanes vs. Canadiens betting picks and predictions
Hurricanes -1.5 (+110)
The Canes easily covered the -1.5 spread last game to achieve their third straight win in the series as they now hold a playoff record of 11-1.
Carolina has scored at least three goals in seven of their last eight matchups as they take home ice to potentially close out the series.
While the Canadiens have covered the +1.5 spread numerous times this playoff, they failed to even net a goal at home on Wednesday and their confidence continues to slip with their first playoff losing streak now extended to three straight matches.
The Canes are set up for the perfect opportunity to go through to the Stanley Cup Finals in their home arena and, after demoralizing the Canadiens just two days ago and with 12 goals to show for in the four games against Montreal, expect Carolina to seal the series by at least two goals.
Under 5.5 (-110)
All four games so far have seen the Hurricanes net at least two goals, with the last three straight of their four matchups concluding with five goals or fewer.
Montreal was shut out for the second time this playoffs, putting them at 2.5 goals per game this series.
It'll be a close scoreline with likely around five to six goals once again.
Expect the under 5.5, especially considering the Canes have only seen two of their games this postseason end with six or more, while the Canadiens have seen the majority of their games finish with fewer than six.
Logan Stankoven to score any time (+205)
The dangerous Canes center Logan Stankoven closed out the scoring in the first period of Game 4 against the Canadiens with his first goal of the series, and his second in five games.
Now, the Canadian international leads his team with eight postseason goals, making him the third-highest goalscorer on the charts in only 12 games played.
We've seen Stankoven kick off a five-game scoring streak in rounds one and two of the playoffs, so bank on him sparking another one with a goal for the Canes here to help them see their first Stanley Cup Finals since 2006.
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Hurricanes vs. Canadiens odds
Hurricanes | -250 |
Canadiens | +205 |
Puck Line | CAR Hurricanes -1.5 |
Total | O/U 5.5 |
Hurricanes vs. Canadiens player props
Anytime goalscorer
Sebastian Aho (CAR Hurricanes) | +200 |
Andrei Svechnikov (CAR Hurricanes) | +200 |
Seth Jarvis (CAR Hurricanes) | +200 |
Logan Stankoven (CAR Hurricanes) | +205 |
Cole Caufield (MTL Canadiens) | +220 |
Nikolaj Ehlers (CAR Hurricanes) | +225 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
