Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Game 1 Picks, Odds and Props: Can Canes Keep it Up?
The Eastern Conference final will get underway with the Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1.
BetMGM Sportsbook has the Hurricanes as big favorites on home ice at -200, with the total (Over/Under) set at 5.5 goals. Oddsmakers anticipate a low-scoring win for the Canes, but what do the betting analysts expect?
We break down the odds, reveal our favorite player props, and share a Canadiens vs. Hurricanes prediction below.
Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Game 1 odds
| Moneyline | Puck Line | Total (Over/Under) |
| Canadiens (+170) | Canadiens, +1.5 goals (-140) | Over 5.5 goals (+120) |
| Hurricanes (-200) | Hurricanes, -1.5 goals (+130) | Under 5.5 goals (+100) |
How these teams got to the Eastern Conference final
To say that these teams had a different road to the conference final would be like saying Wayne Gretzky was pretty good. Major understatement.
The Hurricanes swept their first two series, while the Canadiens went seven games in both of theirs and won Game 7 on the road in each.
Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Game 1 betting analysis
While the Hurricanes had the most points in the East this season, the Habs beat them in all three meetings.
Which Canadiens team will show up?
Montreal's seven-game series with the Buffalo Sabres in the conference semis was crazy to say the least. Their final three wins came on the road, and they came back to win 3-2 in overtime in Game 7 after getting thoroughly beaten 8-3 in Game 6 on home ice.
The Canadiens were shaky on both sides of the ice in the series, but got it done. They used a balanced attack with six players notching at least eight points, led by Lane Hutson (2 goals, 12 assists) and Nick Suzuki (4 goals, 9 assists).
Can the Habs crack Andersen?
Carolina goalie Frederik Andersen (8-0, 1.12 GAA, .950 save %) has been lights out in the playoffs. He has two shutouts and eight straight wins to begin the postseason. He has anchored a defense that has only given up 10 goals in eight playoff games.
Montreal did have success facing him this season, where in his two starts, they scored seven goals on only 36 shots.
Can Dobes replicate his Game 7 heroics?
Jakub Dobes (8-6, 2.52 GAA, .910 save %) has started every game in the playoffs for Montreal and was up and down. However, the young netminder showed his grit in the Game 7 win, stopping 37 of 39 shots after giving up six goals and getting yanked in Game 6.
Dobes will be facing a Carolina attack that ranked second in the NHL this season, averaging 3.55 goals per game.
The Canes’ great attack is led by Taylor Hall (3 goals, 9 assists), Jackson Blake (4 goals, 7 assists), and Logan Stankoven (7 goals, 1 assist).
The top online sportsbooks list the Hurricanes (+160) with the second-best odds to win the Stanley Cup after the Colorado Avalanche (+140).
PlayersBest prediction: Canes moneyline (-200)
While the Habs won all three games against the Canes this season, Carolina has been dominant in the playoffs.
The Hurricanes are on a mission, and I don’t see them being rusty after the long layoff. They will continue to play well on both sides of the ice, and Andersen will have another strong showing between the pipes.
The Canes will take Game 1, and I look for them to do so in a convincing fashion, so taking them with the -1.5 puck line (+125) could be a good call as well.
Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Game 1 player prop picks
Here are some of the player prop picks we like at FanDuel Sportsbook for this matchup:
- Logan Stankoven anytime goal scorer (+190) – Good value bet for a player that leads the Canes in the playoffs with seven goals and has scored four over the last five games.
- Taylor Hall 1+ points (-122) – Hall has registered at least one point in seven of eight playoff games and had three in the last one.
