Bell Centre is the site for an enticing showdown as the Carolina Hurricanes come into town to face the Montreal Canadiens. It’s the third and final time that these two clubs will meet in the regular season. CiTV will broadcast this Eastern Conference matchup, which gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 29.

Carolina Hurricanes at Montreal Canadiens Odds

Playing the role of favorite will be Montreal (-125), while Carolina is a dog offering moneyline odds of +105,, and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals (-125 money on the over, +105 on the under).

Carolina is 35-28 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.3 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 63 regular season outings, 32 of its games have gone under the total, while 30 have gone over and none have pushed. This 2019-20 Hurricanes team is 16-14 SU on the road.

Carolina has converted on 21.4 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked fifth overall, and the team’s successfully killed off 83.0 percent of its penalties.

For the team as a whole, Carolina has been sent to the penalty box 4.0 times per game this season, 4.4 per game over its last five matchups total, and 4.2 per game over its last five games as the visiting team. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays 8.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.

Averaging 24.7 saves per game with a .904 save percentage, Petr Mrazek (21-18-2) has been the primary option in goal for Carolina this year. If head coach Rod Brind Amour decides to rest him, however, the team may turn to James Reimer (15-10-2 record, .914 save percentage, 2.66 goals against average).

Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen will both be relied on to produce for the visiting Hurricanes. Aho has 62 points via 36 goals and 26 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 14 different games. Teravainen has 15 goals and 44 assists to his name, and has logged a point in 40 games.

Montreal is 29-37 straight up (SU) and has lost 16.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 66 regular season contests, 33 of its games have gone under the total, while 30 have gone over and just three have pushed. It’s 13-22 SU as the home team this season.

Montreal has converted on 18.9 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 21st overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.5 percent of all penalties.

The Canadiens have been penalized only 3.4 times per game this season, 3.2 per game over their last five contests total, and 3.0 per game over their last five at home. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 8.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.

Carey Price has denied 27.7 shots per game as the top choice in goal for Montreal. Price has 26 wins, 29 losses, and six OT losses to his name and has maintained a .910 save percentage and 2.76 goals against average this season.

Tomas Tatar (22 goals, 36 assists) will lead the offensive counter for the Canadiens.

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Montreal Canadiens Betting Predictions

Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Under

Notes

Betting Trends

For both of these teams, the over has hit in four of their last five matchups.

Two clubs that shoot the puck early and often, Carolina has registered the league’s third-most shots on goal (33.4) and Montreal has attempted the third-most (34.2).

Power-play chances could play a critical role in this matchup. The Hurricanes are 9-6 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 21-18 when they’re in the box for fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Canadiens are 8-10 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 21-27 in games where they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.

Carolina is 5-0 in games decided by a shootout this season while Montreal is 4-1 in shootouts.

Montreal is ranked 21st in the NHL this season with 6.9 takeaways per game. That figure has trended upward, as it has averaged 7.4 takeaways over its last 10 games and 9.2 takeaways over its last five.

Carolina skaters have managed 9.0 takeaways per game over its last five road games, its season average of 9.5 takeaways per game (ranked second overall).

Carolina could hold an advantage if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s 12-10 in games decided by one goal, while Montreal is only 14-22 in such games.