Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NHL match.
The Carolina Hurricanes continue their strong run near the top of the Eastern Conference and enter this clash as the league’s most dominant home team. The Montreal Canadiens, meanwhile, struggle away from home and often crumble defensively. After a humbling 0:4 loss to the Montreal Canadiens last month, the Hurricanes will be out for revenge.
Carolina Hurricanes
No one in the East has been more reliable on home ice than the Hurricanes. They have won 27 of 36 games at PNC Arena, collecting a league-leading 76% of available points. They’ve scored four or more goals in three of their last four home games and continue to excel on the penalty kill — 84.6% success rate, best in the NHL. Forward Seth Jarvis has been in sparkling form, posting a point in eight of his last nine games (4+4).
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens’ issues lie mainly in defence. They’ve lost six of their last seven road games, conceding 24 goals in that span (3.43 per game). Goaltending has been subpar, with a collective save percentage of just 86.7% over those matches. This will also be a back-to-back for the Canadiens, which is likely to further affect their physical sharpness. Historically, they haven’t fared well in Raleigh either, losing on their last 10 visits dating back to 2016.
Carolina Hurricanes vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction
The Carolina Hurricanes dominate at home, are sharp offensively, and have a strong recent track record against the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens’ defensive woes, coupled with the fatigue factor from a B2B, make this a tough ask for the visitors. Expect a convincing bounce-back from the Hurricanes.
