Carolina at Montreal

Carolina has done the fundamentals well all year at #10 in the NHL on the power play, and tops in penalty killing. It has all paid off the last five games, winning all five, including three times as a dog. The defense has been outstanding in allowing four goals in five games. Goaltender Cam Ward is 6-1-2 this month, allowing 14 goals and recording a 1.53 goals-against average. They come off a 2-1 win at Toronto as a +115 underdog. They are a dog again to a Montreal squad coming off a losing effort to Ottawa on Tuesday, 4-3 as a big favorite. The Canadiens will be without defenseman Nathan Beaulieu, who will miss at least one game after taking a shot to the neck Tuesday. After a red-hot start, Montreal is just 1-4 the last five games. And the Canadiens are 10-22 when their opponent scores two or fewer goals in their previous game. Take Carolina.