NHL Hurricanes vs Canadiens Picks and Odds | April 16, 2025

Published: Wed Apr 16, 2025, 1:44 am ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

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It's a big night in Montreal and it's all on the line for them. Tonight, the Carolina Hurricanes will take on the Canadiens at the Bell Centre. Montreal needs just 1 point to clinch the 2nd Wild Card spot in the East.

The Canadiens are 39-31-11 this season and 5th in the Atlantic Division. They're coming off a comeback overtime loss to the Blackhawks Monday night. Montreal is 6-2-2 in their last 10 games but are on a 3-game losing streak. They're a good home team luckily, with a 22-12-6 record.

Offensively, this team has just found ways to win. They're kind of all over the board statistically. The Habs rank 17th in goals scored and 2nd worst in shots on goal per game. Montreal doesn't shoot bad, ranking 6th best in the league for shooting percentage.

Now on defense is where they struggle. The Canadiens rank 23rd in goals allowed and 24th in shots on goal allowed per game. Although they're decent on the penalty kill, Montreal commits almost 5 penalties per game, which is not smart hockey.

Goalie Sam Montembeault is expected in net tonight. He is 30-24-7 this season with a 2.83 GAA and a .901 save percentage. Monte wasn't able to get the W the last time these teams played 2 weeks ago, but now all bets are off. It's do or die.

Carolina looks to get back in the win column before the playoffs

Hurricanes forward Taylor Hall high fives his teammates after scoring a goal.

The Canes are 47-28-5 this season and 2nd in the Metro. They clinched a playoff spot a week or so ago but haven't been in their best form. Carolina comes into this game off a 4-1 loss to the Leafs and are 4-5-1 in their last 10 games.

This team has always been firing on offense. They rank 2nd in the league for shots on goal and 8th for goals scored per game. Carolina struggles on the power play and doesn't shoot the puck well, even with all the shots they put up.

You really have to play on your toes against this Hurricanes defense. They rank 8th in goals allowed but are best in the league for shots on goal per game. The Canes also have the best penalty kill in the league and are known to smother the puck of the opposing team.

In net, we're expected to see Pyotr Kochetkov in net. He is 27-15-3 this season with a 2.59 GAA and a .897 save percentage. Kochetkov didn't play 2 weeks ago, so he will be fresh to the Habs. Let's check out the odds and get into the picks.

Carolina Hurricanes vs Montreal Canadiens Betting Odds and Game Information

Hurricanes vs Canadiens Betting Odds

Puck Line

Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 (+172)
Montreal Canadiens +1.5 (-215)

Moneyline

Carolina Hurricanes -146
Montreal Canadiens +122

Totals

Over 5.5 (-133)
Under 5.5 (+108)

Odds courtesy of BetOnline – Get 50% up to $1000 on your first deposit

Hurricanes vs Canadiens Game Information

Venue: Bell Centre, Montreal, QC
Date: Wednesday April 16, 2025
Puck Drop: 7pm EST
TV: FDSSO

Carolina Hurricanes vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction and Picks

Canadiens forward Christian Dvorak is blocked by Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis.

Hurricanes vs Canadiens Picks and Predictions: Montreal Canadiens Moneyline (+122) Get 50% up to $1000 Deposit on BetOnline for this pick

Although they are not the better team, I'm taking the Habs who are going to leave it all out there. The Canes haven't looked the best and could rest key players in this game. Montreal wants this badly, so if you want another avenue – take tie for +330 to bet for overtime. Remember, the Habs only need 1 point.

Guys like Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki will really need to step it up and lead this team. Rookie Ivan Demidov will most likely be out there buzzing around as well as possible Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson.

It's going to be a tough one, but Montreal will be going to the playoffs. I like for Nick Suzuki to record 1 or more points paired with Cole Caufield to record 3 or more shots on goal. This should get plus money value of around +150.

The other play I like is for Montembeault to get over his saves line. The line should come out around 25-27 saves that I think he gets easily against team who is averaging over 30 shots a game. This could get sweaty depending on who the Canes start and sit.