Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens Prediction, NHL Odds
With losses in their last two games, the Washington Capitals will look to get back on track when they head to Montreal to face the Canadiens on Thursday night. Both teams were last in action on Tuesday. The Caps fell 5-4 at home against Columbus, but still hold the top wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Montreal was blown out 7-1 by New Jersey at the Bell Centre and now sit dead last in the NHL standings.
Washington opened as a -200 favourite to win on the NHL odds, with a total of 6.0.
Capitals vs. Canadiens NHL Betting Odds
This is the second of three meetings between these teams this season. Washington took the first game 6-3 at home on Nov. 24. Alex Ovechkin had three assists for the Capitals. The Over has hit in six of the last eight games between these teams, so it could be a high scoring game on Thursday.
The Caps have done great in Montreal over the last few years, winning seven of their last eight trips to the Bell Centre. They’re an even 24-24 against the spread overall this season, including 15-7 ATS on the road. The total has gone Under in five of Washington’s last seven road games.
With just eight wins, it’s been a train wreck of a season in Montreal. Their current losing streak is up to seven games and they’ve dropped eight of their last nine at home. Covering hasn’t been much easier, as the Habs are 18-27 ATS overall and 7-13 ATS in Montreal. The total has gone Over in the Canadiens’ last five games.
Washington Capitals
Facing a weak Montreal team could be exactly what the Capitals need to get back on track. Washington has dropped their last two games and four of their last six, all in regulation. Garnet Hathaway, Nic Dowd, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Tom Wilson had the goals for Washington on Tuesday. Pheonix Copley was chased from the crease after allowing four goals on 19 shots. Ilya Samsonov stopped six of seven shots in relief. Ovechkin recorded his 30th assist of the year in his return from COVID protocols. O.V. has turned back the clock this season as he sits fifth in the NHL with 59 points and fourth with 29 goals.
There’s been no update or details regarding the upper body injury Vitek Vanecek suffered on Feb. 1 against Pittsburgh, but if he remains out of the lineup on Thursday, Samsonov is expected to get the start. Vanecek is 10-6-5 this season with a 2.39 goals-against average and .915 save percentage. Samsonov 14-6-3 with a 2.89 GAA and .902 SV.
Montreal Canadiens
The 7-1 loss to New Jersey pretty much sums up how Montreal’s season has gone. The Devils sit last in the Metropolitan Division standings and they were riding a seven-game losing streak when they torched the Habs. It was the fifth straight game Montreal has allowed at least five goals. Brett Kulak the Canadiens’ lone goal. Cayden Primeau faced 34 shots and gave up all seven goals. It was the first time in 2022 that a Montreal goalie made it through the entire game without being pulled, although Primeau likely deserved the hook. The offence hasn’t been any better. No one on the Habs has managed double-digit goals this season. Nick Suzuki, Tyler Toffoli and Josh Anderson are tied for the team lead with nine goals apiece. Suzuki also leads the team with 27 points.
With Jake Allen and Carey Price both out of the lineup for the foreseeable future because of injuries, Primeau has been splitting the net with Sam Montembeault. Primeau is 1-6-1 with a 4.62 GAA and .874 SV. Montembeault, who will likely get the start on Thursday, is 2-8-4 with a 4.10 GAA and .891 SV.
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