The Canadiens are 2-4 on home ice so far these playoffs. They'll look to change that narrative tonight in Game 3 versus the Hurricanes
Out of a stunning upset that’s brewing in the NHL’s Western Conference Final, the Eastern Conference Final between the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes by comparison has the makings of a hockey war by attrition, a series that feels like a seven-gamer.
Out west last night, in shiny Las Vegas, the Golden Knights staged a stunning comeback, down 3-0 to the President’s Trophy winners Colorado Avalanche after the first period, winning 5-3, to take a 3-0 stranglehold on their series.
Tonight, the Habs and Hurricanes return to Montreal, with their series tied 1-1, after an overtime goal by Nikolaj Ehlers at 3:29 of the extra period Saturday night. Ehlers scored twice for the Hurricanes.
The Canadiens have to learn to take advantage of home ice. They’re 2-4 at the Bell Centre so far these playoffs.
Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis was asked about that yesterday, whether his players try to do too much on home ice, put on a show too much.
“I think the biggest thing for me, not being on the ice, but on the bench with them, is the fans have poured in so much move, so much support, and I feel like we want to do it for them so bad, that sometimes we try so hard, and look out of sorts,” he told the media. “We have still had some good games at home that didn’t result in wins. I think we need to take a deep breath, and understand (the fans) are behind us, and try to play the game that’s in front of us, not have it pre-determined because you want it so bad.”
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Carolina Hurricanes at Montreal Canadiens, 8 p.m. EST, Bell Centre, Montreal
Best-of-7 series: Tied 1-1
In NHL betting on Betway, the Hurricanes are Moneyline favourites, at -135, with the Canadiens at +115. The Hurricanes are -1.5 on the Puckline (+175), Canadiens +1.5 (-225). The Over/Under is 5.5 (O -125, U +105).
Canadiens To Win (+115)
I went a little too aggressive last night, taking the Avalanche -1.5 for plus odds, so I’m hold back on the Hurricanes ATS.
Habs Moneyline is more certain. And those St. Louis comments yesterday ring truer this morning. The Canadiens are a young team, perhaps a little immature, but they’re growing up fast.
Learning how to capitalize on a home ice advantage during playoff rounds is a part of that maturity, and they have an elite coach to steer them through that.
You could counter-argue that the 6-2 Canadiens’ pounding in Game 1 was the result of the Hurricanes having 12 days off after they took out the Philadelphia Flyers in the previous series, and that was rust at play.
Then the Canadiens pushing Carolina to OT Saturday were the last remnants of that rust breaking off, and the Hurricanes will be right as rain tonight.
And don’t forget the Hurricanes are 4-0 in road games during these playoffs.
That’s why it will be another close contest tonight, but it still feels like a 3-2 Canadiens win.
Under 5.5 (+105)
After the Over cashed in Game 1, the Under cashed in Game 2. The Canadiens had just 12 shots on goal, with Hurricanes goal Frederik Andersen stopping ten of those.
There was talk before the series of Andersen being a Conn Smythe candidate, but that talk went away after two sub-par performances in Games 1 and 2 of this series.
I think Andersen bounces back, and combined with the Hurricanes’ stifling defence, especially in the neutral zone, this one hits the Under again.
Lane Hutson Over 0.5 Assists (-140)
Strong at home, he’ll easily eclipse this tonight. Hutson is playing massive minutes and has nine assists in his last ten games.
He appeared to be hurt in Game 2, but St. Louis indicated yesterday that Hutson is good to go for tonight.
