SportsLine model projects Hurricanes to close out Canadiens in Game 5
Carolina enters Friday’s contest at the Bell Centre with a 3-1 series lead, while the model anticipates a high-scoring affair with an over on the 5.5-goal total.
SportsLine’s projection model has released its latest predictions for Game 5 of the 2026 NHL Eastern Conference finals, forecasting a victory for the Carolina Hurricanes against the Montreal Canadiens. The Hurricanes, who secured a 4-0 win in Game 4 on Wednesday, now hold a 3-1 advantage in the best-of-seven series.
The model, which utilises 10,000 simulations for each game, lists Carolina as the -249 favourite, requiring a $249 stake to win $100. In contrast, the Canadiens are priced as +202 underdogs. The projection indicates that the Hurricanes are positioned to close out the series when the teams meet at the Bell Centre in Montreal for a face-off at 8 p.m. ET on Friday.
Regarding scoring, SportsLine’s model projects an over on the 5.5-goal total, estimating a combined 6.3 goals between the two sides. Historical trends support this projection, with the over hitting in 60 per cent of the Hurricanes’ home games this season and 56 per cent of the time for the Canadiens when the line is set at 5.5 goals.
Individual player metrics within the simulation highlight Seth Jarvis for Carolina, projected to score 0.44 goals and provide 0.47 assists. Goaltender Frederik Andersen is expected to make 18.3 saves while allowing 2.88 goals. For Montreal, Cole Caufield is projected for 0.53 goals and 0.43 assists, with Jakub Dobes anticipated to make 26.3 saves and concede 3.17 goals.
The Hurricanes finished the regular season with a 53-22-7 record and 113 points, seeking their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance since the 2005-06 season. The Canadiens concluded with a 48-24-10 record and 106 points, aiming for their first Finals berth since 2020-21. SportsLine reported that the model generated a $668 return on top-rated money-line NHL picks during the second week of the conference finals.
