Carolina Hurricanes vs Montreal Canadiens Game 5

You don't have to be a hockey expert to acknowledge that the Hurricanes have been the better team in this series. Carolina is up 2-1, but it hasn't been easy, as both wins came in overtime. Despite being held to just 25 shots in the last two games combined, the Canadiens have still found themselves with great opportunities to have the lead in this series.

The better team in hockey doesn't always win. You can be outplayed and still come on top if you have one of two things: 

1. A hot goalie

2. The bounce of the puck

Oddly enough, Montreal hasn't necessarily had either. I can't quite put my finger on it, but they have just been...scrappy.

Carolina responded well after losing 6-2 in Game 1. The Habs played with their hair on fire, and the Hurricanes looked like a team that hadn't played hockey in 12 days. One thing that's been clear to me this series is that the Hurricanes are getting better with every possession. In Game 1 the passes were inaccurate, the skating was sloppy and way too many shots were whiffed. You can tell that the skaters have gotten back in sync, yet still falling asleep at times.

Freddie Andersen has been solid in net for the Canes throughout the entire playoffs. With that said, I did not love how he looked in Game 3 on the road. Perhaps he was shook in his first game in front of the the raucous crowd in Montreal. Understandable, but it can’t happen again, or the Habs will even up the series tonight and potentially sneak out a win. 

I’m betting on him to tighten up, and I’m betting on the Canes to continue to improve with the puck as they play more and more hockey.

I laddered the Canes in Game 3 thinking that it would be a 5-1 final. Something tells me I was a game early. I respect the Habs, and if they make it out of this series, I will be betting them to beat Vegas and win the Cup. But tonight is when Carolina stomps on their throats.

Hurricane warning in Montreal tonight. Give me the -1.5, -2.5 and -3.5.