Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Prediction & Picks - Stanley Cup Semifinals Game 1

Carolina Hurricanes v Philadelphia Flyers

Photo: Emilee Chinn / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images

Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Semifinals will see the Carolina Hurricanes hit the ice against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, May 21, starting at 8 p.m. ET and brodcast on TNT. The Canadiens are underdogs (+167) in this game against the Hurricanes (-202).

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Ahead of this matchup, here is who we expect to bring home the win in Thursday's Stanley Cup Semifinals action.

Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Predictions for Thursday

Our computer projection model for this encounter calls for a final tally of Hurricanes 4, Canadiens 3.

  • Moneyline Pick: Hurricanes (-202)
  • Total Pick: Over 5.5 (computer predicts 6.4 goals on average)
  • Spread Pick: Canadiens (+1.5)

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Hurricanes Splits and Trends

  • The Hurricanes have a 53-22-7 record overall, with a 17-7-24 record in games that have gone to overtime.
  • In the 30 games Carolina has played that were decided by one goal, it has a 23-4-3 record (good for 49 points).
  • In the 12 games this season the Hurricanes scored only one goal, they've finished 1-11-0 (two points).
  • Carolina has scored exactly two goals in 12 games this season (7-4-1 record, 15 points).
  • The Hurricanes have scored at least three goals in 65 games (53-6-6, 112 points).
  • In the 37 games when Carolina has scored a lone power-play goal, it has a 26-9-2 record (54 points).
  • In games when it has outshot its opponent, Carolina is 55-14-5 (115 points).
  • The Hurricanes have been outshot by opponents 14 times, and went 5-7-2 (12 points).

Canadiens Splits and Trends

  • The Canadiens have a record of 48-24-10 this season and are 17-12-29 in overtime games.
  • Montreal has earned 55 points (24-8-7) in its 39 games decided by one goal.
  • This season the Canadiens scored only one goal in five games and they've earned two points (1-4-0) in those contests.
  • Montreal has earned 12 points (5-11-2 record) this season when scoring two goals .
  • The Canadiens have scored more than two goals in 68 games, earning 109 points from those contests.
  • This season, Montreal has recorded a single power-play goal in 33 games and picked up 44 points with a record of 21-10-2.
  • When outshooting its opponent this season, Montreal is 19-17-2 (40 points).
  • The Canadiens' opponents have had more shots in 54 games. The Canadiens finished 34-10-10 in those contests (78 points).

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Team Stats Comparison

Hurricanes Rank Hurricanes AVG Canadiens AVG Canadiens Rank
2nd 3.55 Goals Scored 3.4 7th
5th 2.88 Goals Allowed 3.06 16th
2nd 32 Shots 26.3 22nd
1st 23.8 Shots Allowed 27.8 18th
4th 24.9% Power Play % 23.14% 10th
11th 80.6% Penalty Kill % 78.14% 19th

Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Game Time and TV Channel

  • When: Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 8 p.m. ET
  • TV Channel: TNT
  • Live Stream: Watch this match on HBO Max (Regional restrictions may apply)
  • Where: Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina

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