Hurricanes vs. Canadiens Eastern Conference Finals Game 4 Picks 

The Carolina Hurricanes will be looking to seize a commanding 3-1 lead over the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference Finals when they contest Game 4 tonight in Montreal. Carolina dropped the series opener but has restored order thanks to back-to-back overtime victories.

With puck drop set for 8:00 pm ET on TNT, it’s time to break down the odds and discuss the best bets to make!

Hurricanes vs. Canadiens Game 4 Predictions 

• Pick #1 - Carolina Hurricanes ML over Montreal Canadiens (-142) 
• Pick #2 - Under 5.5 Total Goals (-102) 
• Pick #3 – Nikolaj Ehlers Over 0.5 Points (-120)

PICK #1: Carolina Hurricanes ML (-142) 

From a glance at the scores, you would think that this series could not be more competitive. The fact of the matter, however, is that Carolina has been the far superior side – at least over the past two contests. In Game 2, the Hurricanes more than doubled the Canadiens in shots on goal (26 to 12), delivered way more hits (46 to 16), and committed fewer penalty minutes (four to six). Game 3 saw the visitors turn in an even more dominant performance. They went into Montreal and once again had the upper hand in basically every area: 38 to 13 in shots, 37 to 31 in hits, and six to eight in penalty minutes. They also won more than half of the faceoffs.

Carolina did not trail at any point in the past two outings, so it is a borderline miracle that Montreal twice managed to force overtime. Finally, it’s not like home ice has provided a boost for the Canadiens. They are 1-5 at the Bell Centre during these playoffs, including a ridiculous 8-3 loss in Game 6 of the previous round against Buffalo. 

PICK #2: Under 5.5 (-102) 

Low-scoring games have been the norm for the Hurricanes throughout this postseason. Their first-round series against the Senators averaged just four goals per game. In round two against the Flyers, no single matchup produced more than five goals, and the series opener was a 3-0 shutout in Carolina’s favor.

Game 1 of this series – a 6-2 Canadiens success – was obviously an aberration as opposed to the rule. The ‘Canes took the next two games 3-2 and have won by that exact scoreline a whopping five times already in the playoffs. Frederik Andersen continues to excel in net for the Hurricanes.

Through 11 playoff starts, Andersen boasts a 1.56 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage. For the home team, Jakub Dobes is sporting a 2.50 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage through 17 playoff appearances. Dobes has allowed more than three goals only twice in those 17 efforts. 

PICK #3: Nikolaj Ehlers Over 0.5 Points (-120)  

The Hurricanes got a pair of goals from Ehlers during a much-needed Game 2 win, including the clincher in overtime. Ehlers now has four goals in the last six games, dating back to round two against Philadelphia, so the 30-year-old forward is high on confidence. He was kept off the scoresheet on Monday but logged 22:48 of ice, the most among Carolina forwards.

If Ehlers continues to get those kinds of opportunities, he should return to his point-producing way in Game 4. The Dane enjoyed plenty of success in this particular matchup during the regular season, too. In three games against the Habs, Ehlers recorded two goals and two assists.