Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NHL match.
The Montreal Canadiens only need to avoid a regulation-time defeat to secure a place in the playoffs, regardless of the result in the Columbus Blue Jackets’ final game. Their destiny remains firmly within their grasp as they take on the Carolina Hurricanes, a team with little incentive left in the closing stretch of the regular season.
Montreal Canadiens
Supporters are thrilled that their team is still in the hunt at this late stage of the campaign. The atmosphere at the Bell Centre, which accommodates over 20,000 fans, is expected to give the hosts a strong home-ice edge. The Canadiens have not suffered a regulation defeat at home since early February, collecting points in 11 consecutive games. A key storyline is the arrival of Ivan Demidov, who made an instant impact in his debut against the Chicago Blackhawks. He delivered a thunderous hit on his first shift, added a spectacular goal, an assist, and registered nine shots on target. His addition has clearly revitalised the team.
Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have been locked into second place in the Metropolitan Division for some time. They cannot catch the Washington Capitals, nor can they be overtaken by the New Jersey Devils. As a result, their intensity appears to have dipped, with five losses in their last six outings, including a 1:5 defeat to the Boston Bruins and a 0:3 result against the Buffalo Sabres. Their recurring struggles in front of goal have become more evident. Leading scorer Sebastian Aho (29+45) has found the net only once in his last seven games. Meanwhile, third-top scorer Jack Roslovic (21+17) is on a 14-game goal drought.
Montreal Canadiens vs Carolina Hurricanes Prediction
Ivan Demidov’s impactful debut and the accompanying media buzz are likely to energise the squad’s top performers — Nicholas Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson, and Juraj Slafkovsky — who have endured their share of setbacks to reach this point. When the Carolina Hurricanes last visited the Bell Centre, they were handed a 0:4 defeat. Given that the Montreal Canadiens only need to avoid a regulation-time loss, a cautious approach focusing on a zero handicap bet looks to offer value.
