Odds courtesy of TonyBet.
Hurricanes vs Canadiens Game 5 Odds
The Hurricanes are a heavy -228 moneyline favorite at NHL betting sites. The Habs return at +195 odds. The O/U is set at 5.5 goals, and the Under has hit in three straight games in the series.
Hurricanes vs Canadiens Game 5 Analysis
Carolina was utterly embarrassed in Game 1 on home ice, but they clearly took that loss as motivation. Rod Brind’Amour’s group has been absolutely dominant since that four-goal defeat, winning Games 2 and 3 in overtime before completely outplaying Montreal at the Bell Centre on Wednesday. The Canes outshot the Habs 44-18, including 20-3 in the third period. The majority of their offensive damage came in the first, with Sebastian Aho, Logan Stankoven, and Jordan Staal all finding the back of the net.
Andrei Svechnikov added a fourth into an empty net in the final frame as well. While Carolina was just 1 for 6 on the power play, they were battering Jakub Dobes’ net all evening, but he still made 43 saves. The Czech netminder simply didn’t get any help from his team. Now, the Hurricanes have the opportunity to clinch a spot in the Cup in front of their passionate fanbase. And unless something drastically changes, Carolina is the team from this series that deserves to move on.
No one expected Montreal to make it to the Conference Finals, and they showed they belong in the series opener with a massive victory. But, since then, the Habs have fallen just short, including two losses at home. Game 3 was a heartbreaking OT defeat before Carolina had their way with them in Game 4. Carolina’s stout defending and goaltending have completely shut down an electrifying Montreal core, who also tallied just 13 shots in Game 3 compared to 39 for the visitors.
Game 4 was one of the Canadiens’ worst performances of the playoffs, and it couldn’t come at a worst time. They went to the penalty box six times, and if it wasn’t for Dobes, this game would’ve been a lot worse than just 4-0. Montreal also had only 18 SOG. Going into Raleigh and winning in a potential series-clincher for Carolina isn’t going to be easy, but this is a resilient group. They must come out of the gates with more intensity and avoid falling into an early hole because that will be difficult to overcome on Carolina’s home ice.
Hurricanes vs Canadiens Game 5 Picks
Carolina has definitely been the better team in the series, and they should be the one advancing. However, I don’t see the Habs losing a fourth in a row. They will respond and force a Game 6 back at the Bell Centre, at the very least.
Pick: Canadiens +195/TonyBet
