After a dominant 6-2 win in Game 1 by the Montreal Canadiens, the Eastern Conference finals has been all Carolina Hurricanes.
Following the Canes' 4-0 win in Game 4, the series stands at 3-1 with Game 5 slated for Friday (8 p.m. ET, TNT). Can the Canadiens force a Game 6 back in Montreal?
Here's a look at key stats ahead of Friday's matchup and a best bet, as well as highlights from Game 4 and updated playoff stats leaders.
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Full schedule
Playoff Central
Stanley Cup odds
Experts' picks
Offseason guide for eliminated teams
Friday's schedule
Montreal Canadiens at Carolina Hurricanes
Game 5, 8 p.m. ET (TNT) | CAR leads 3-1
Teams with a 3-1 series lead have gone on to win the series 91% of the time in Stanley Cup playoff history (329-32 record). In the conference finals/Stanley Cup semifinals round, that record is 72-1; the lone team to come back from down 1-3 in this round is the 2000 New Jersey Devils over the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Hurricanes improved to 6-0 on the road this postseason, becoming the seventh team in Stanley Cup playoff history to win its first six road games. The others are the 2012 Los Angeles Kings (10 road wins), 2022 Colorado Avalanche (seven), 1999 Avalanche (seven), 1980 New York Islanders (seven), 1987 Edmonton Oilers (six) and 1981 Minnesota North Stars (six).
Frederik Andersen is the fifth goaltender to win each of his first six road games in a single playoff year, joining Jonathan Quick (2012, 10), Billy Smith (1980, 8), Sergei Bobrovsky (2023, 7) and Patrick Roy (1999, 7).
Sebastian Aho now has 11 career playoff power-play goals, breaking a tie with Eric Staal for the most in Hurricanes/Whalers franchise history.
Logan Stankoven has eight goals through 12 games this postseason; he had eight total playoff goals entering this postseason.
After a team-leading seven goals in the Canadiens first 14 playoff games, Alex Newhook has zero through the first four games of this series.
The Canadiens had 43 total shots on goal in the past three games (all losses). This is the fewest total in a three-game span in the Stanley Cup playoffs since the stat was first tracked in 1959-60.
Friday's best bet
The bet: Canadiens puck line +1.5 (-130)
If you've been reading these picks regularly during the playoffs, then you are well aware of this bet by now. The Canadiens have been on an unbelievable heater when they getting the goal on the Puck Line, covering 39 of its past 41 in this situation, including 29 of 30 on the road. This team performs best when it's expected to lose. I don't know if they win Game 5 and bring the series back to Montreal, but win or lose, it's going to be a tight game Friday night in Carolina. --Tyler Fulghum
Wednesday's scoreboard
Carolina Hurricanes 4, Montreal Canadiens 0
Hurricanes lead 3-1
The crowd throughout the city of Montreal was at its enthusiastic best leading into this one. And their side had some chances in the opening frame. Unfortunately, none of those chances turned into goals, while the Canes scored three goals in a span of less than three minutes, courtesy of Sebastian Aho, Jordan Staal and Logan Stankoven.
That was more than enough as Frederik Andersen held on for the shutout, but Andrei Svechnikov added an empty-netter at 18:06 of the third to officially seal the deal. Game 5 is Friday in Raleigh. Full recap | Grades
Playoff scoring leaders
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Playoff goaltending leaders
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