Hurricanes vs. Canadiens NHL Predictions, Picks and Odds - Jan. 1

Two of the best clubs in the Eastern Conference will clash when the Carolina Hurricanes (24-12-3, first place) host the Montreal Canadiens (21-12-6, fourth) on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET. Hurricanes (-185) versus Canadiens (+154) has a definite favorite, according to the moneyline odds.

Carolina fell 5-1 on the road in its last game on Dec. 30 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Hurricanes got one point apiece out of three skaters, including Joel Nystrom (one assist) and Mark Jankowski (one goal).

Montreal won its most recent game 3-2 on the road over the Florida Panthers on Dec. 30. Nicholas Suzuki (two goals) and Lane Hutson (two assists) were among the four Canadiens skaters who put up two points each in that outing.

Before this matchup, here's who we project to emerge victorious in Thursday's hockey game.

Hurricanes vs. Canadiens Predictions & Pick

For insights on the upcoming game between the Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens, computer-calculated moneyline, over/under, and score predictions are below, sourced from Dunkel Index.

• Prediction: Canadiens 4 - Hurricanes 3
• Pick OU: Over 6.5 (Dunkel projecting 6.91 goals)
  

Pick with the best in the business! Get free picks for every game, every week at the Dunkel Index.

Hurricanes vs. Canadiens Moneylines

Take a peek below at the most up-to-date moneylines for the Hurricanes-Canadiens matchup.

• Favorite: Hurricanes (-185)
• Underdog: Canadiens (+154)

Hurricanes Betting Insights

• The Hurricanes are 23-12 this season when favored on the moneyline.
• When it has played with moneyline odds of -185 or shorter, Carolina has compiled a 14-5 record (winning 73.7% of its games).
• The Hurricanes have a 64.9% chance (based on the moneyline's implied probability) to win this matchup.
• Carolina's games this season have gone over this matchup's total of 6.5 goals 19 times.

Canadiens Betting Insights

• This season the Canadiens have won 11 of the 22 games, or 50.0%, in which they've been an underdog.
• Montreal has a record of 1-2 when it's been set as an underdog of +154 or more by sportsbooks this season.
• The Canadiens have a 39.4% chance to win this game based on the implied probability of the moneyline.
• Montreal's games this season have had more than 6.5 goals 23 of 39 times.

Hurricanes Key Stats

• Carolina has scored the 10th-most goals in the league (126 total, 3.2 per game).
• The Hurricanes have conceded 113 total goals (2.9 per game), the 10th-fewest in NHL action.
• It has the league's sixth-best goal differential at +13.
• The 21 power-play goals the Hurricanes have scored this season (on 118 power-play chances) rank 18th in the NHL.
• Carolina is 22nd in the league with a 17.8% power-play conversion rate.
• The four shorthanded goals the Hurricanes have scored this season rank seventh among NHL squads.
• Carolina has the league's 20th-ranked penalty-kill percentage (79.63%).
• Carolina wins 49.5% of its faceoffs (19th in NHL).
• The Hurricanes shoot 10% as a team (24th in the league).

Canadiens Key Stats

• Montreal's 128 goals on the season (3.3 per game) rank seventh in the league.
• The Canadiens concede 3.3 goals per game (127 in total), 22nd in the league.
• it has the 12th-ranked goal differential in the league at +1.
• With 28 power-play goals (on 112 chances), the Canadiens are ninth-best in the NHL.
• Montreal has the NHL's sixth-best power-play percentage (25%).
• In terms of shorthanded goals, the Canadiens have three.
• The 77.78% penalty-kill percentage of Montreal is 23rd in the league.
• Montreal wins 49.9% of faceoffs, 17th-ranked in the NHL.
• With a shooting percentage of 12.8%, the Canadiens are second in the league.