Montreal Canadiens vs Carolina Hurricanes Prediction, 5/23/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs Carolina Hurricanes

Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026

Location: Lenovo Center in Raleigh, NC

TV: TNT

Odds/Point Spread: Canadiens (+180) Hurricanes (-218)

The Montreal Canadiens (48-24-10) are traveling to Lenovo Center on Saturday where they will play the Carolina Hurricanes (53-22-7) in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Montreal leads 1-0. The odds on this game have the Canadiens at +180 while the Hurricanes open at -218. The total comes in at 5.5.

The Montreal Canadiens dominated Game 1 with a 6-2 win. Montreal tallied 8 penalty mins in this game. The Canadiens had a solid offensive outing and it was apparent in the victory. Additionally, they had 2 chances with extra men on the ice but weren't able to net one. For the game, they scored on 6 of the 22 shots they put on goal.

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At even strength, the Canadiens have allowed 197 goals while having 223 of their own. Montreal Canadiens opponents have tallied 248 power play tries (8th in the NHL) and have come away with 54 goals in those attempts. Concerning their scoring, the Montreal Canadiens have notched 279 goals (7th in the NHL) this season and have given up 251. Montreal has attempted 2,156 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 12.9%. For the year, they have racked up 106 points and their points percentage comes in at .646. The Canadiens thus far have had 2,283 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .890. Montreal has 242 power play chances and they have scored 56 goals out of those tries, garnering them a rate of 23.14%.

The man in net for this game is Jakub Dobes. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Dobes is sitting with 35 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .614. His save percentage is at .904 during his 953 mins in the crease. Dobes has had 1,627 shots taken against him and has recorded 1,470 total saves. Opponents have racked up 157 goals against Dobes in his professional career and his goals against average per game is 2.75. He has accumulated a mark of 36-14-7 and he was named the starter in 57 games. Dobes has been in goal for 59 games during his hockey career.

Carolina was unable to stop Montreal in Game 1. They had 2 power play attempts in this one but weren't able to score a goal. The Hurricanes notched 2 goals of the 27 shots on goal they were seeking.

During this campaign, the Carolina Hurricanes have earned 291 goals, 113 points, in addition to a points percentage of .689. They have granted a total of 236 goals to be scored by of a combination of 191 goals at even strength and 45 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Hurricanes have tallied 231 goals at even strength and 60 goals (5th in hockey) while having more men on the ice. They have a tally of 241 power play opportunities and they have accumulated a power play rate of 24.90%. Carolina has attempted 2,637 shots (2nd in hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 11.04%, while allowing the opposition 1,961 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill percentage of 80.52% on their opponents 231 chances on the power play, and their save percentage sits at 88.0%.

Across the rink you are likely to see Frederik Andersen protecting the net. He has racked up 14,476 stops out of 15,856 shots attempted against him, which gives him a save % of .913. Andersen is sitting with a career mark of 324-149-58 and has been in net for 552 games. He has started in 538 games and has been on the ice for 27,489 minutes. Andersen's quality start percentage is 55.9% and he has 301 quality starting assignments in his pro career. His opposition is averaging 2.57 goals per contest and he has given up 1,380 goals in total.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take Carolina (-218)

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