NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Best Bets, Odds, & Picks: Friday (5/29)
The Carolina Hurricanes are on the brink of winning the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 20 years, ahead of tonight’s Game 5 home stand against the Montreal Canadiens. After a shocking 6-2 loss at home in Game 1, the Hurricanes have rallied to win four straight games, including two victories in overtime.
Oddsmakers and public bettors are all over Carolina in Raleigh for Game 5. The Hurricanes are massive -245 betting favorites on the moneyline, while the goal total sits at 5.5.
Last week, my NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Best Bets, Odds, & Picks: Friday (5/22) for Vegas vs. Colorado in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals settled 1-1. The Avalanche didn’t win in regulation, blowing a 1-0 lead in the 3rd period to wind up with a 3-1 loss in regulation to the Golden Knights. However, we did cash under 6.5 goals to break even on the night.
I’ve got three NHL best bets, each worth one unit, to lock in ahead of tonight’s 8 p.m. ET puck drop on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max. Follow me on X @Matt_MacKay_ for more NHL analysis and free picks.
Friday’s NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Montreal Canadiens vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Montreal has been among the best road teams in the playoffs. The Canadiens have played notably better away from home, winning four of their last five road starts, and now, only 20 percent of bets are on their lucrative moneyline odds at +198.
We know that Montreal has plenty of scoring talent. They opened up with 6 goals in Game 1, but we’ve also seen the Canadiens grind opponents down to win low-scoring contests.
Jakub Dobes has been an excellent rookie netminder for the Canadiens during their postseason run. He’s been great in elimination games thus far, while scoring depth allows Montreal to be a threat with any line on the ice.
Let’s take the contrarian stance and bet on Montreal to upset Carolina on the road in Game 5 to force Game 6 back at the Belle Centre.
Pick: Canadiens Moneyline (+198)
Montreal Canadiens vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Elimination games tend to be low-scoring affairs in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Factor in the two teams on the ice tonight, and betting under 5.5 total goals feels like a slam dunk.
The goal total has gone under in seven of the Hurricanes’ previous eight games played. This includes four of the past five head-to-head matchups against Montreal, excluding Game 1 in this series.
Once again, 57 percent of the public wagers are on over 5.5 total goals tonight. Carolina plays an elite, physical style of defense, while Dobes has the talent to weather a barrage of shots from the Hurricanes’ attack tonight.
Bet under 5.5 total goals in a high-stakes environment where nerves will be running high on both sides.
Pick: Under 5.5 (-110)
Montreal Canadiens vs. Carolina Hurricanes
It’s time for one of Montreal’s top playmakers to step up and deliver with his team’s back against the wall in Game 5. Canadiens D Lane Hutson has been a dynamic weapon during the regular season and playoffs, although Carolina’s held him to one point via a goal notched in Game 3.
Hutson has 15 points in the playoffs, including three goals, while skating on Montreal’s top defensive line and primary powerplay unit. Earning over 21 minutes of ATOI per game, Hutson will have opportunities to set up or finish possessions with a score against a mediocre goaltender like Frederik Andersen.
At -128 odds for 1+ points, Hutson’s a rare value in this betting market. Let’s pounce on this number and bet on Lane Hutson to record 1+ points at -128 on the road in Raleigh tonight.
Pick: Lane Hutson 1+ Points (-128)
Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneIn