Andrei Svechnikov has been a scoring chance machine all throughout the playoffs and he finally was rewarded in Game 3.
Regression still looms for Carolina's top sniper, which is why he headlines my Hurricanes vs. Canadiens goal scorer predictions and NHL picks for May 27.
Hurricanes vs Canadiens goal scorer predictions for Game 4
| Player to score | Odds |
|---|---|
 Cole Caufield |
+160 |
 Jackson Blake |
+295 |
| Andrei Svechnikov |
+210 |
| 💲Goal scorer parlay: Cole Caufield, Jackson Blake, Andrei Svechnikov | +1500 |
Goal scorer pick: Cole Caufield (+160)
Cole Caufield has been much more of a scoring threat at home during the playoffs.
He has averaged 0.44 expected goals and 3.14 scoring chances per game in Montreal, a stark contrast from his road outputs of .27 xG and 2.10 scoring chances.
Martin St. Louis has the ability to get him in more favorable matchups at home — spending less time against the other team’s top defenders — and that has clearly made a difference.
Desperate for more shots and offense, I expect St. Louis to be even more aggressive hunting favorable offensive situations for Caufield and the Montreal Canadiens' top line.
Caufield’s shot is the team’s best weapon, and they will lean on it in essentially a must-win Game 4.
I’d back Caufield up to +140.
Goal scorer pick: Jackson Blake (+295)
The Carolina Hurricanes have five different forwards with at least 15 shot attempts through three games. Despite sitting tied for first among that group in high-danger chances and rebound opportunities, Jackson Blake is the only one without a goal.
It’s only a matter of time before that changes. He is generating quality looks consistently, and the Hurricanes are living in the offensive zone when he’s on the ice.
Shot attempts are 60-40 with Blake out there at 5-on-5, and he is also getting regular power-play time.
The coaching staff is well aware of how well Blake is playing, giving him more ice time than any other forward on the roster thus far.
Given his strong usage, on-ice metrics, and scoring chance outputs, I have a fair price closer to +270.
Goal scorer pick: Andrei Svechnikov (+210)
Andrei Svechnikov came through for us with the overtime winner in Game 3, and I'm going right back to the well in Game 4.
Svechnikov checks off all the boxes I want to see in a goal scorer. He leads the Hurricanes in shots and scoring chances in the series, and the same can be said over the entire playoffs.
He has recorded 46 chances and more than five expected goals, yet found the back of the net just twice. That is abnormal for Svechnikov, who is a strong finisher and scored three more goals than expected this season.
That he finally broke through should only give him confidence to keep firing away, and a sky-high 71% offensive zone start rate will give him extra opportunities to do so. I'd back him to +190.
Hurricanes vs Canadiens anytime goal parlay (+1500)
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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