Hurricanes Look to Rebound Against Canadiens After Tough Loss

Hurricanes Struggling to Find Momentum Amid Rantanen Contract Talks

The Carolina Hurricanes are looking for a reset after a tough 6-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, but off-ice drama might be just as pressing as their on-ice struggles.

Rumors are swirling about Mikko Rantanen’s future, as reports suggest Carolina has offered him a massive contract extension worth over $100 million. The star winger, acquired in a shocking trade from Colorado in January, has put up 67 points (26 goals, 41 assists) this season. However, since joining Carolina, he’s managed just three points in seven games—raising questions about his fit with the team.

With the March 7 trade deadline approaching, speculation is heating up that if Rantanen doesn’t sign the extension, Carolina might look to move him again. That uncertainty isn’t helping a team that has lost four of its last five games and needs to regain consistency.

Saturday’s loss to Toronto exposed some key weaknesses, as Carolina fell behind 4-0 before the third period. Though they managed to claw back with three goals, the slow start proved too costly.

“The start was junk,” head coach Rod Brind’Amour admitted. “You can’t come out that light in our own end. We were making really poor decisions, and when you do that against a team like Toronto, they’re going to score.”

Carolina will need a much better opening effort when they take on the Canadiens in Montreal.

Canadiens Battling Injuries, But Playing Smart Hockey

While Carolina is dealing with contract drama and inconsistency, Montreal has its own challenges—mainly injuries.

The Canadiens have been hit hard with absences, as Kirby Dach, Josh Anderson, David Savard, and Brendan Gallagher all missed Monday’s practice. As a result, Montreal called up Owen Beck from their AHL affiliate, Laval, to fill the gaps.

Despite the setbacks, Montreal looked sharp in their last game, a 5-2 road win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. The Canadiens got contributions from multiple players, including Cole Caufield, Patrik Laine, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Gallagher, who had a goal and an assist.

Veteran Nick Suzuki added two assists, and Sam Montembeault made 25 saves—securing his spot as Tuesday’s starter against Carolina.

“I thought we really played to our strengths,” Gallagher said after the win. “We talked about risk management before the game. We trusted our legs, trusted our forecheck, and we got rewarded.”

Montreal set the tone early, jumping out to a 2-0 lead, but had to withstand an Ottawa push before reclaiming control. Laine’s power-play goal late in the first period proved to be the turning point, giving the Canadiens a lead they never relinquished.

“We needed to come out and set the tone, and I thought we did a great job of that,” Suzuki said.

With Carolina reeling from a bad loss and Montreal dealing with key injuries, Tuesday night’s matchup could be a test of resilience for both teams.

From Faceoff to Final Buzzer!

NHL Betting Tips!

Get Free Trial

What’s at Stake?

For Carolina, it’s about bouncing back from a rough stretch and proving that their recent struggles aren’t a sign of deeper issues. A strong performance from Rantanen would also go a long way in quieting the trade speculation.

For Montreal, it’s about overcoming injuries and continuing their smart, disciplined play. They’ve been surprisingly strong at home, and taking down a team like Carolina would be a statement win.

Ready to win more NHL bets? 🏒🔥 Get expert insights and proven strategies in our NHL Betting Guide! 🚀

Who will step up? Puck drops Tuesday night in Montreal, and both teams have something to prove.