March 24, 2026, 8:34 a.m. ET
The Carolina Hurricanes (45-19-6) visit the Montreal Canadiens (38-21-10) Tuesday at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The opening puck drop will be at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze NHL odds around the Hurricanes vs. Canadiens odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Canadiens lead 1-0 with 7-5 win Jan. 1
Carolina totes a 3-game win streak north of the border. The first-place club in the Metropolitan Division has scored 15 goals over that stretch and has tallied 4.08 goals per game (GPG) since the Olympics break in February. In their most recent game Sunday, the -150 Hurricanes routed the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1 (Under 6.5). C Seth Jarvis netted a goal and 2 assists in the Carolina road triumph.
Montreal has had 2 days off since drubbing the +102 New York Islanders 7-3 (Over 6) Saturday. RW Cole Caufield filed a 5-point game with 3G and 2A. That game against the Isles marked the first of 3 straight at home for the Canadiens, who are 20-13-2 on home ice.
Watch the NHL on Fubo!Hurricanes at Canadiens odds
Provided by Bally Bet Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:30 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Hurricanes -132 (bet $132 to win $100) | Canadiens +108 (bet $100 to win $108)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Hurricanes -1.5 (+185) | Canadiens +1.5 (-240)Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -107 | U: -120)Hurricanes at Canadiens projected goalies
Brandon Bussi (26-6-1, 2.47 GAA, .894 SV%) vs. Jakub Dobes (22-8-4, 2.91 GAA, .893 SV%)
Bussi last played Friday when he allowed 3 goals on 26 shots on goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs. In 6 games since the break, the 27-year-old has registered a shaky .844 SV%.
Dobes has been off since Thursday when he stopped 25 of 27 shots in a loss at the Detroit Red Wings. He has allowed 2 goals or less in 3 of his last 4 starts.
Hurricanes at Canadiens picks and predictionsPrediction
Hurricanes 5, Canadiens 3
No interest; PASS.
The last 13 series meetings have produced 10 Carolina victories.
The Hurricanes are 12-4-0 since the beginning of February, and they are 5-2-0 across their last 7 games on road ice. A solid Carolina power play (23%, ninth NHL) netted a trio of goals Saturday and has scored in 3 straight games (and the Habs allowed 2 PP goals Sunday). Mix in a Carolina offense that has been performing at a very high level in even-strength play. And then the ‘Canes are playing on 2-day rest, they may be especially dangerous. In 12 such games this season they have scored 3.67 GPG while going 7-4-1.
The last 8 Carolina-Montreal games have been decided by multiple goals.
TAKE THE HURRICANES -1.5 (+185).
These 2 clubs combined for 12 goals in their first meeting this season. Both sides have good power-play units (Montreal’s 25.4% mark ranks third in the NHL), and offenses that have cranked out string 5-on-5 advanced metrics in recent weeks.
Mix in projected netminders that don’t offer too much pushback. The OVER 6.5 (-107) is the value end of this game.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose.  While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling.  We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site.  Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.