Carolina Hurricanes vs. Montreal Canadiens Game 4 Prediction, NHL Playoff Odds

It could be the Montreal Canadiens’ final home matchup of the season Wednesday night if they lose to Carolina in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Hurricanes lead the series 2-1 and are -140 favourites on the NHL odds with a total of 5.5 goals.

Hurricanes vs. Canadiens NHL Betting Odds

With Carolina prevailing 3-2 in Game 3 for a 2-1 series lead, the Hurricanes shifted from -205 on the series line to -500 and the Canadiens from +170 to +370. On the series spread, Carolina at -1.5 is -175 and Montreal at +1.5 is +145. I’d still take the +145 as well as the over 5.5 total games, now priced at -215. But the new favoured exact result is Hurricanes in five at +160. Canadiens in six is the +950 long shot. Will stick with Carolina in seven at +380.

Teams who win Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead have won 75 per cent (60-20) of series’ in the penultimate round all-time. When trailing a best-of-7 series 2-1, Montreal is 8-21 in them and 6-11 when starting on the road. The Canadiens are 61-66 in all Game 4s and 19-29 at home. Carolina 10-4 when leading a best-of-7 series 2-1 and 8-3 when starting it at home. The Hurricanes are 22-16 in Game 4s and 11-10 away.

The Western Conference portion of the Stanley Cup Finals might already be filled by the time this game starts Wednesday with Vegas dominating Colorado in the West Finals. That’s great news for both the Hurricanes and Canadiens because they wouldn’t have had home-ice advantage for the Cup vs. the Avalanche but both will against the Golden Knights. Carolina is the -155 Cup favourite.

Carolina Hurricanes

Projected a 3-2 Montreal win in Game 3 and got the score right, but the winning team wrong as the Hurricanes won their seventh straight overtime playoff game overall Monday, tying the team record. Carolina has won five OT games this postseason and all five have been by exactly 3-2. It is unbeaten on the road.

Andrei Svechnikov’s second goal of these playoffs at 14:06 of OT was the winner. It was his first career playoff OT goal. Blueliner Shayne Gostisbehere (first of these playoffs) and Taylor Hall (fourth) had the regulation goals. Rising star Logan Stankoven now has just one goal in his past six games after six in his first five in these playoffs.

After having to face only 12 shots in the Game 2 victory, netminder and former Maple Leaf Frederik Andersen had to see only 13 Monday. The Hurricanes have had a 123-87 shot attempt advantage and 55-33 edge in scoring chances at 5-on-5 in the past two games. Carolina leads the conference finals for the first time since 2006, when it won the franchise’s only Cup.

Montreal Canadiens

No doubt the Canadiens have to find a why to put more shots on net … and get better at home as Monday’s loss dropped the Habs to 2-5 at Bell Centre in these playoffs. It’s the first time Montreal has lost back-to-back games in these playoffs.

Rookie Jakub Dobes certainly was not at fault in Game 3 with 35 saves and had 2.66 goals saved above expected. Dobes has a 1.88 GAA after a loss this postseason compared to 2.99 after a win. The Canadiens nearly won the game in the first minute of OT twice but then were dominated until Carolina won it.

Blueliners Mike Matheson (second) and Lane Hutson (third) had the Montreal goals, but a Hutson giveaway led to the Hurricanes’ winner. Cole Caufield being offside nullified Noah Dobson’s goal in the third period. Just too many mistakes. Nick Suzuki was held without a point and was minus-1. He has only one goal and two assists in the team’s eight playoff losses.