Montreal has been struggling recently, unable to secure a win in the last three games, all of which ended with a margin of more than one goal. A key issue is their attacking play, which, despite creating plenty of dangerous chances, hasn’t resulted in goals. Additionally, the team’s goaltender, Dobes, has struggled to perform, particularly in recent games, allowing several avoidable goals. However, after the break, the team managed to bounce back with a dominant 5-2 win over Ottawa.
Strengths:
Injuries and Suspensions:
Opponents: — Key Players: Suzuki and Caufield. — Achievements: Montreal sits mid-table but continues to fight for a playoff spot.
Current Form: Carolina has been facing difficulties in their attack, especially after the break. Despite creating numerous chances in recent matches, they’ve struggled with finishing. Consecutive losses to Los Angeles, Winnipeg, and Minnesota indicate that the team has had trouble reaching their usual high level of performance. However, their recent 7-3 victory over Utah showcased their offensive potential. Goaltender Kochetkov is often a key player for the team, but his performances have been somewhat inconsistent in recent games.
Strengths:
Injuries and Suspensions:
Opponents: — Key Players: Svechnikov, Jarvis, and Teravainen. — Achievements: Carolina remains at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
At the moment, Carolina appears to be the favorite in this matchup, thanks to better discipline, a solid defense, and a high offensive potential. Meanwhile, Montreal has been dealing with issues in attack and inconsistency in goaltending. However, considering the injuries on both sides, this match could still be unpredictable. I predict Carolina will win by a margin of one or two goals, but due to both teams’ goaltending issues, the outcome could be uncertain. Estimated Score: 4-2 in favor of Carolina.
Despite all their issues, Carolina enters the upcoming match as the clear favorite. Indeed, across all metrics, the Hurricanes significantly outclass their opponent, as demonstrated throughout the regular season. In their head-to-head meetings, Carolina almost always beats Montreal, often by a considerable margin. It's worth noting that even in their losses, the Hurricanes create numerous dangerous chances in the opponent's zone, though luck hasn't been on their side recently. We believe the visitors will pull themselves together and handle the underdog with ease.
Bookmakers are offering odds of 3.27 for Montreal, 4.91 for a draw, and 1.91 for Carolina. Total over 5.5 goals is offered at 1.77, total under at 2.13.
Our prediction: Carolina to win at odds of 1.89.
