The race for the Stanley Cup is heating up with just four teams remaining. The Carolina Hurricanes are set to host the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference Finals on Thursday night at Lenovo Center in what could be a highly competitive series.
The Hurricanes finished as the Eastern Conference’s top team and remain undefeated this postseason, completing four-game sweeps of both Ottawa and Philadelphia. Despite their dominance, many of Carolina’s wins have been tightly contested, with all eight victories coming by three goals or fewer, including two overtime wins and a double-overtime victory.
The Canadiens are no strangers to close games, either. In their first-round series against Tampa Bay, Montreal played four overtime games, and all seven matchups were decided by one goal. Although there were a few larger scoring margins in the Canadiens’ second-round series against Buffalo, the series still went the distance, including a thrilling 3-2 overtime win in Game 7 that sent Montreal to the Conference Finals.
One storyline to watch Thursday night is how Carolina starts the game after not playing since May 9. The extra rest could benefit the Hurricanes, but the Canadiens may also have an edge after playing meaningful hockey more recently and entering the series with momentum following Monday’s Game 7 win in Buffalo.
Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Game 1 Odds
Given how dominant the Hurricanes have been all season, Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook lists Carolina as the favorite on home ice for Game 1:
- Moneyline: Hurricanes -190, Canadiens +160
- Puck Line: Hurricanes -1.5 (+130), Canadiens +1.5 (-165)
- Total (Goals): Over 5.5 (-120), Under 5.5 (+100)
With a perfect 8-0 playoff record and plenty of rest entering the series, the Hurricanes are listed at -275 odds to win the Eastern Conference and advance to the Stanley Cup Final.
Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Picks & Predictions for Game 1
The NHL Playoffs have been nothing short of exciting, so make sure to get in on the hockey betting action by signing up with Hard Rock Bet today. Once signed up, head over to the Stats Hub for betting insights and trends on both the Canadiens and Hurricanes.
Here are two picks from the Stats Hub for Thursday night’s Game 1 at Lenovo Center:
Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Best Bet: Lane Hutson Over 0.5 Points
Lane Hutson may be a defenseman, but he’s also a major contributor offensively. The 22-year-old leads the Canadiens with 14 points this postseason, including a team-high 12 assists, after finishing with the second-most assists on Montreal during the regular season.
Hutson’s offensive production has continued throughout the playoffs. He has recorded at least one point in each of his last six games and in 12 of Montreal’s 14 postseason contests. Most of his production has come through assists, which is also available as a separate market at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook, but his points line provides added flexibility if he finds the back of the net himself.
- Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Game 1 Player Prop Pick: Lane Hutson Over 0.5 Points (-170)
Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Best Bet: K’Andre Miller Over 0.5 Assists
K’Andre Miller is another defenseman who has found offensive success this postseason. Although he hasn’t played since May 9 following Carolina’s sweep of Philadelphia, Miller had recorded an assist in three consecutive games entering Thursday’s series opener.
Overall, Miller has tallied an assist in six of Carolina’s eight playoff games, giving him the third-most assists on the team entering Thursday night. With his assist line sitting at plus money, it’s a prop worth considering for those looking for value.
- Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Game 1 Player Prop Pick: K’Andre Miller Over 0.5 Assists (+180)
Top 5 Most-Bet Player Props for MTL-CAR
Below are the five most-bet player props for Thursday night’s Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 between the Canadiens and Hurricanes:
- Nick Suzuki – Points Over 0.5
- Cole Caufield – Goals Over 0.5
- Sebastian Aho – Points Over 0.5
- Andrei Svechnikov – Goals Over 0.5
- Frederik Andersen – Saves Over 21.5
Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Game 1 Info
- 📍 Where: Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC
- 📅 Date: Thursday, May 21
- ⏰ Puck Drop: 8:00 PM ET
- 📺💻 TV/Streaming: TNT, truTV, HBO Max
- 🏒 Series: 0-0
More Ways to Bet
Whether it’s a tight total or a late-game push, Florida players can keep the excitement going with Real Money Games powered by Past Motor Racing, only on Hard Rock Bet, another way to play while you follow every puck.
Referenced odds are subject to change.
Offered by the Seminole Tribe of Florida in FL. Offered by Seminole Hard Rock Digital, LLC, in all other states. Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, FL, IL, IN, MI, NJ, OH, TN or VA to play. Terms and conditions apply. Concerned about gambling? In FL, call 1-833-PLAYWISE. In IN, if you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-9-WITH-IT. In AZ, OH, & VA, call 1-800-MY-RESET.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1‑800‑GAMBLER (CO, IL, MI, NJ, TN)
