The Carolina Hurricanes enter their March 28 matchup against the Montreal Canadiens boasting a 42-23-4 record, positioning themselves firmly as one of the NHL’s top contenders and maintaining a stronghold near the top of the Metropolitan Division as they eye a deep playoff run. Known for their structured, high-pressure system and stingy defensive play, the Hurricanes have developed a well-rounded identity under head coach Rod Brind’Amour, built around puck possession, disciplined forechecking, and excellent zone transition. Offensively, Carolina averages 3.2 goals per game and does so with a depth-driven approach that doesn’t rely solely on one or two stars, though Sebastian Aho continues to lead the way with 61 points (24 goals, 37 assists), proving once again that he’s one of the league’s most effective two-way centers. Seth Jarvis has also stepped up with 25 goals and 23 assists, while offseason and midseason acquisitions such as Michael Bunting and Mikko Rantanen have helped bolster the top-six with skill, physicality, and veteran poise. Rantanen’s presence, in particular, has added another dimension to the Hurricanes’ attack, giving them a lethal weapon both at even strength and on the power play, where Carolina has seen improvement in puck movement and shot generation. Defensively, the Hurricanes are among the NHL’s elite, allowing just 2.7 goals per game, anchored by a mobile and disciplined blue line led by Jaccob Slavin and Brent Burns, whose ability to both block shots and move the puck up the ice has made life easier for goaltender Frederik Andersen. Andersen has continued to deliver strong numbers with a 2.49 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage, providing the stability and experience needed for postseason success.

The team’s penalty kill is ranked near the top of the league, often turning shorthanded situations into scoring threats thanks to aggressive positioning and smart sticks. Despite their strong overall record, Carolina has struggled to cover the spread recently, going just 1-4 ATS in their last five games as a favorite, often winning games but doing so by smaller margins than bookmakers anticipate. Nonetheless, they hold a decisive psychological and statistical edge over the Canadiens, having won nine straight games against them and covering the spread in four of the last five meetings. This trend, coupled with their dominant home record and playoff-ready style of play, gives the Hurricanes a clear upper hand heading into this matchup. They excel in controlling the pace of the game, suffocating opponents’ breakout attempts, and limiting high-danger chances, all of which should pose significant problems for a Canadiens team that has struggled to establish offensive rhythm and defensive cohesion on the road. Key for Carolina will be staying disciplined and not overlooking Montreal despite their recent dominance in the series, as trap games can prove costly at this time of year. With playoff positioning still at stake and momentum critical, expect the Hurricanes to come out with intensity, aiming to set the tone early with physical play, quick puck movement, and a relentless cycle that wears down Montreal’s defense and keeps the puck away from their own net. If they execute as they have throughout most of the season, Carolina should be poised to extend both their win streak over the Canadiens and their strong late-season form heading into April.