NHL Prop Bets: Carolina Hurricanes vs Montreal Canadiens (May 21, 2026)
The Montreal Canadiens face the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Lenovo Center. Let's take a look at the NHL Prop Bets for Thursday's matchup.
- The Canadiens have a 56-40 Puck Line record this season (including playoffs), while the Hurricanes hold a record of 38-52.
The total goals line is set at 5.5, with OVER at -135 and UNDER at +114.
- The Canadiens have a 48-42-6 O/U record this season, including playoffs (meaning 48 games have gone over the total points line, 42 have gone under and six have resulted in a push). The Hurricanes have a 44-43-3 O/U record.
Goals For Insights
- The Canadiens averaged 3.40 goals per game during the regular season (7th in the NHL), while the Hurricanes averaged 3.55 (2nd). More recently, the Canadiens are averaging 3.07 goals in these playoffs and the Hurricanes have managed 3.00.
- Defensively, the Canadiens allowed 3.06 goals per game during the regular season (T16th in the NHL). Meanwhile, the Hurricanes gave up 2.88 (T5th). During the playoffs, the Canadiens have given up 2.71 per contest, while the Hurricanes are allowing 1.25.
Shots
- Looking at creating chances to score, the Canadiens are averaging 25.2 shots per game during the postseason, down 1.1 from their regular season number of 26.3. Alternatively, the Hurricanes are allowing 25.1 shots per game throughout these playoffs, an increase of 1.2 from their regular season average of 23.9.
- Flipping that script, the Canadiens are allowing 28.7 shots per game in the playoffs, up 27.8 from their regular season average. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are recording 33.9 shots per contest during the postseason, which is an increase of 1.7 from their regular season number of 32.2.
Power Play
- The Canadiens held a power play percentage of 23.1% during the regular season, ranking 10th in the NHL. During the postseason, they hold a percentage of 25.0%. Comparatively, the Hurricanes ranked 4th with 24.9% of their power play opportunities converted into goals in the regular season. In these playoffs they hold a percentage of 13.5%.
Penalty Kill %
- On the opposite end, the Canadiens had a penalty kill rate of 78.2% during the regular season (18th) and have a kill rate of 74.1% in the postseason. Alternatively, the Hurricanes had a penalty kill rate of 80.5% in the regular season (11th) and 95.0% in the playoffs.
P1 Result
Montreal is +235 to win the first period, while Carolina is +140.
- Here are their first period records in 2025/26 (including playoffs).
| Total | Home | Road | Last 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montreal | 34-27-35 | 16-13-18 | 18-14-17 | 6-2-2 |
| Carolina | 44-23-23 | 21-12-12 | 23-11-11 | 6-2-2 |
To Go To Overtime
Thursday's matchup is +285 to go to overtime.
- The Canadiens have played in 29 games that have gone to overtime this season (including playoffs), while the Hurricanes have appeared in 24.
To Go To a Shootout
- The Canadiens have played in 9 games that have gone to a shootout this season (including playoffs), while the Hurricanes have also appeared in 9.
Last Time They Met
Montreal recorded a 3-1 victory over Carolina at Lenovo Center when these teams last met on March 29. Nick Suzuki led the way to that result, recording 2 goals and 1 assist. The Canadiens have now won four straight against the Hurricanes.