- UPDATE: Added a +195 anytime goal scorer pick & who will win prediction!
Goaltender Jakub Dobes was a big reason why the Montreal Canadiens survived a pair of Game 7s to earn a spot against the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference finals.
My Canadiens vs. Hurricanes predictions and NHL picks expect Dobes to be thrown into the fire tonight, facing all kinds of rubber from Carolina on Thursday, May 21.
Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET from the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, with the game airing on Sportsnet and TNT.
Canadiens vs Hurricanes Game 1 prediction
Who will win Canadiens vs Hurricanes Game 1?
Carolina Hurricanes: There are massive mismatches in the underlying five-on-five metrics, with Carolina ranking second in Corsi For percentage and expected goals, while Montreal respectively checks in 13th and 14th.
Additionally, the Hurricanes have a huge rest advantage, having last played May 9, and No. 1 goalie Frederik Andersen has an elite 1.250 goals saved above expected per 60 minutes.
Canadiens vs Hurricanes best bet: Jakub Dobes Over 28.5 saves (-105)
Montreal Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes sports a solid .910 save percentage with 12.17 goals saved above expected across his 14 postseason starts, and he’s about to be busier than ever in Game 1.
The Carolina Hurricanes have recorded a playoff-high 30.9 shots per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 while ranking second in Corsi For percentage, and they also finished the regular season with the second-most shots per game (32.2) and highest CF% at 5-on-5.
So, with Montreal finishing 23rd in CF% at 5-on-5 during the regular season and now sitting 13th in the metric among the 16 postseason teams, Dobes is set to face more than enough rubber to record 29 or more saves in the series opener.
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Canadiens vs Hurricanes Game 1 same-game parlay
Canadiens winger Juraj Slafkovsky has been limited to a single goal across his past 13 games despite racking up a team-high 5.64 expected goals, 41 scoring chances, and 20 high-danger chances, so he’s a ripe candidate to break through with a goal in Game 1.
Montreal linemates Ivan Demidov and Alex Newhook tilted the ice in their favor in Round 2 with a 58.2% shot rate at 5-on-5 while combining for 37 shots. Additionally, Demidov recorded two or more in four of seven games, and Newhook had at least two shots six times.
Canadiens vs Hurricanes SGP
- Juraj Slafkovsky Over 0.5 goals
- Ivan Demidov Over 1.5 shots
- Alex Newhook Over 1.5 shots
Canadiens vs Hurricanes Game 1 goal scorer pick
Andrei Svechnikov (+195)
The goals are coming for Carolina winger Andrei Svechnikov. He’s been held to a single tally through eight playoff games despite generating an impressive 3.67 expected goals, 32 scoring chances, and 12 high-danger chances.
His 3.9 shooting percentage is also miles below his 12.7% mark across the past four regular seasons.
Canadiens vs Hurricanes odds for Game 1
- Moneyline: Canadiens +160 | Hurricanes -190
- Puck Line: Canadiens +1.5 (-150) | Hurricanes -1.5 (+130)
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-135) | Under 5.5 +115
Canadiens vs Hurricanes trend
Carolina has won 20 of its last 25 games (+14.40 Units / 37% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Canadiens vs. Hurricanes.
How to watch Canadiens vs Hurricanes Game 1
| Location | Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC |
| Date | Thursday, May 21, 2026 |
| Puck drop | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Sportsnet, TNT |
Canadiens vs Hurricanes latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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