The Carolina Hurricanes will try to close out the Eastern Conference Finals when they host the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 tonight.
Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, NC, and our Covers experts are ready to break down their top NHL picks for Friday, May 29.
Canadiens vs Hurricanes expert picks tonight
| Pick | Odds |
|---|---|
| Josh Inglis: Over 1.5 1P | +100 |
| Todd Cordell: Under 5.5 | -110 |
Luc Leblanc:  Alexandre Carrier Over 2.5 blocked shots |
-115 |
Quinn Allen:  Andrei Svechnikov anytime goal |
+180 |
Odds courtesy of BET99.
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Josh Inglis' expert pick: Over 1.5 1P
Price: +100 at BET99
The scoring hasn't been plentiful late in this series, but first-period scoring has accounted for 59% of the total goals, and the Over 1.5 1P total is a perfect 4-0 to the Over.
In fact, the first-period Over is on a spotless 11-0 O/U run since the beginning of the second round for the Montreal Canadiens. Game 4 was the first time Montreal failed to score in the first frame of the series, but the Carolina Hurricanes ripped three goals in under three minutes.
Carolina knows how to play close-out hockey and win tight games, so there is always going to be value on the first-period Over that is priced from the game total. Montreal will have some early pace in this game, but Carolina will match.
Look for early scoring, but don't be afraid to hit a live Under as this game will slow down.
Todd Cordell's expert pick: Under 5.5
Price: -110 at BET99
The Hurricanes have limited shot attempts, expected goals, and goals more effectively than every team in the playoffs. They are giving up next to nothing on a nightly basis, which helps explain why 10 of their 12 games have gone Under the total.
The Hurricanes have been particularly smothering against the Canadiens, who are completely gassed after consecutive seven-game series vs. division rivals.
Generating offense will be a problem for Montreal, while Jakub Dobes, the playoff leader in Goals Saved Above Expected, has proven reliable at limiting the opponent.
Expect a 3-2 type of game in Carolina. Playable to -125.
Luc LeBlanc's expert pick: Alexandre Carrier Over 2.5 blocked shots
Price: -115 at BET99
Alexandre Carrier has 22 blocked shots over his last five games, smashing the Over in each. He leads all defensemen in blocked shots over this span by a mile (or about 1.6 kilometres).
He blocked an astounding seven shots in Game 4 as Carolina continues to pester the Habs' goal. He's blocked more shots this series than the Carolina's top two defensemen combined.
The -145 range is as low as I'd go on this prop.
Quinn Allen's expert pick: Andrei Svechnikov anytime goal
Price: +180 at BET99
Carolina Hurricanes star Andrei Svechnikov has scored just three goals in these playoffs, but it was only a matter of time until those chances started finding net.
The Russian is averaging 3.5 shots on goal in the postseason, and he's put 11 pucks on net across the last two, scoring in both.
Svechnikov has consistently been among Carolina's leaders in high-danger opportunities throughout the playoffs, indicating he's getting to dangerous scoring areas rather than relying on low-percentage shots.
He's also key on the power play, scoring two of his three playoff goals with the man advantage. Carolina had six power plays in Game 4.
I'd play this pick to +130.
More Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Game 5 picks
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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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