NHL Hockey Free Predictions: Montreal Canadiens vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Hockey Gambling fans sure are getting their money’s worth from the free nhl picks we give out here at Capperspicks.com.
Team Records:
Montreal: 39-32-9
Carolina: 34-36-10
Tonight, 7:35p.m. ET
Sportsbook odds: Canadiens -105, Hurricanes -115, O/U 5.5
Canadiens vs. Hurricanes
The Montreal, fresh off a stinging overtime loss to the New York Islanders will try once again to clinch a playoff spot on Thursday night. This time, they will have to beat a surprisingly tough Carolina team that has beaten Washington twice and Pittsburgh once in the last three or so weeks.
The Montreal Canadiens have appeared to be world beaters on some nights on the NHL schedule but on other nights they are capable of laying an ostrich sized egg. The Canadiens shut out two Eastern Conference contenders in consecutive games only to give up a tying goal late against a below average Islanders team and eventually lose in extra time. Montreal is 4-3-3 in their last 10 games and despite average play, can clinch a sixth seed with wins over Carolina and Toronto.
The Canadiens’ inconsistency is largely due to their best players not playing like their best players. Mike Cammalleri is pointless in his last four games, Scott Gomez is pointless in three, Benoit Pouliot is pointless in five and Andrei Markov has been held off the score sheet in his last five games. It is players like Sergei Kostitsyn, Dominic Moore and Maxime Laperriere that have been providing the little offense that the Habs have generated in their last three games.
The Montreal Canadiens have continued to roll with Jaroslav Halak who is 5-2-2 in his last nine games with a 1.53 goals against average and two shutouts. He had back to back shutouts before Tuesday’s loss to the Islanders.
The Carolina Hurricanes are playing “nothing to lose” hockey and results have been impressive. They are 5-3-2 in their last ten games and they boast wins over some of the NHL elite. The Canes are coming off an 8-5 win over the Lightning.
The Carolina Hurricanes have started to get contributions from their best players. Unfortunately it is a little too late. Eric Staal has four points in his last two games, Jussi Jokinen has six points in his last five and Rod Brind’Amour finally woke up with two goals in his last game. Players that are slumping are Ray Whitney who is pointless in his last three games and Joni Pitkanen who has not appeared on the score sheet in four games.
On paper, this should be a win for the Canadiens but the Hurricanes are one of the hottest teams in the NHL over the last two months. With Cam Ward in goal for the Hurricanes, anything is possible. The Canes beat Montreal last week in a 2-1 game that Cam Ward stole for Carolina. The road team is 17-6 over its last 21 games in the series. I like the upset in this game.
NHL Betting Trends:
Montreal is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Carolina’s last 7 games when playing Montreal
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Carolina’s last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Montreal’s last 7 games when playing Carolina
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Montreal’s last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Montreal’s last 5 games on the road
Carolina is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games when playing Montreal
Carolina is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games at home
Pick: Carolina Hurricanes
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT BODOG.COM’S NHL HOCKEY BETTING LINES FOR TONIGHTS MATCHUPS!!!!
