Washington Capitals (6-2) vs Montreal Canadiens (4-5-1)
October 31, 2024 at 07:00 PM EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Washington Capitals -210 / Montreal Canadiens +170 — Over/Under: 5.5
The Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals meet Thursday in NHL action at the Capital One Arena. Here’s a Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals Prediction. This article will include a Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals Pick.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview
The Montreal Canadiens beat the Flyers, lost to the Kraken, and they play the Penguins and Flames next. The Montreal Canadiens are averaging 2.9 goals per game and are scoring 22.9 percent of their power play opportunities. Cole Caufield leads Montreal with 9 goals, Mike Matheson has 9 assists and Nick Suzuki has 26 shots on goal. Defensively, the Montreal Canadiens are allowing 4 goals per game and are killing 83.8 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Cayden Primeau has given up 18 goals on 139 shots faced, and Sam Montembeault has allowed 20 goals on 184 shots.
Washington Capitals Betting Preview
The Washington Capitals lost to the Lightning, beat the Rangers, and they play the Blue Jackets and Hurricanes next. The Washington Capitals are averaging 3.88 goals per game and are scoring on 7.4 percent of their power play opportunities. Tom Wilson leads Washington with 5 goals, Dylan Strome has 8 assists and Alex Ovechkin has 26 shots on goal. Defensively, the Washington Capitals are allowing 3 goals per game and are killing 81.5 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Charlie Lindgren has allowed 10 goals on 95 shots faced, and Logan Thompson has given up 13 goals on 105 shots.
Why the Washington Capitals will win
- The Canadiens have lost 12 of their last 13 road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Capitals have won each of their last five games at Capital One Arena following a win.
- The Capitals have covered the puck line in each of their last four home games.
- The Canadiens have lost the second period in each of their last three games at Capital One Arena.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Capitals’ last five games as home favorites following a home win have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Canadiens’ last five road games have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last 11 road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in four of the last five games between the Canadiens and Capitals at Capital One Arena.
Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts
- Dylan Strome has recorded at least one assist in each of the Capitals’ last four home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Nic Dowd has scored a goal in three of the Capitals’ last four games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Alex Ovechkin has recorded at least one point in each of his last 10 appearances with the Capitals as favorites against the Canadiens.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Mike Matheson has recorded at least one assist in each of the Canadiens’ last seven games as underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Cole Caufield has scored at least one goal in each of the Canadiens’ last four games as road underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Nick Suzuki has recorded at least one point in each of the Canadiens’ last nine games as underdogs against the Capitals.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Washington Capitals are one of seven teams to rank in the top 10 for both goals scored and goals conceded per game this season.
- The Washington Capitals rank 1st in the league for shots against per game this season (25.1).
- The Montreal Canadiens rank 31st in the league for shots per game this season (25.9).
- The Montreal Canadiens are one of only four teams in the league to rank top 10 for both power play and penalty kill percentage this season.
Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals Prediction
The Montreal Canadiens have done enough winning early on to be worth a look in the underdog role, but when they lose, they lose badly, so it does turn me off a bit. The Washington Capitals have been one of the bigger surprises in the league up to this point, and their explosive offense should have a field day against this Montreal defense. Outside of a shutout loss to Tampa, the Capitals have been beating teams into the ground this season. I’ll ride the hot hand with the Caps and take the PL to shave down the expensive price.