The Metropolitan Division-leading Washington Capitals visit the Atlantic Division basement-dwelling Montreal Canadiens Saturday night.
Not only has the Washington Capitals’ campaign differed greatly from that of the Montreal Canadiens, but it has also differed from expectations. Few saw them as a potential top seed in the Eastern Conference this season, yet here we are. As for Montreal, they’re still figuring things out, but at least Patrik Laine is back in action.
Our NHL odds believe the Capitals will handle their business and have pegged them at -131 on the moneyline. The Habs are +125.
Capitals vs. Canadiens NHL Betting Odds
This will be the second meeting of the 2024-25 campaign between the Capitals and Canadiens. Their first duel was on Halloween night, and the Caps gave the Habs quite a fright, beating them 6-3. That was Washington’s second consecutive win over Montreal overall. Martin St. Louis’ group had strung together a trio of wins before that.
Of note: Alexander Ovechkin is still on injured reserve. He has amazingly started skating again despite breaking his fibula barely three weeks ago. In a testament to the club’s depth, they have won four of their last five games overall. It helps when you have two players not named Ovechkin who can tally a point per game. Connor McMichael has 25 in 26 games and Dylan Strome has 34 in 26. And look at that ATS record: 18-8. Equally impressive is the team’s eight-game road winning streak.
Here’s something we didn’t know we’d be writing in December: Patrik Laine is on a point streak. The Finn, just back from an extended injury, has scored in his first two games this week. Speaking of good things in Montreal, betters should keep tabs on the team’s respectable efforts versus the spread, as they are 14-12. Kaiden Ghule is listed as Day-to-Day.
Washington Capitals
Although it was strange to have a game in Toronto on a Friday, it was appropriate insofar as it made for a proverbial heavyweight fight. The Capitals and Maple Leafs lead their respective divisions, but Washington was superior this time, winning 3-1.
Both goaltenders held the fort in the first period, which concluded 0-0. The sides looked to be feeling each other out. But the Caps cashed in when it counted most. Early in the second period, Nic Dowd (sixth) tipped a shot from the point by Matt Roy that gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead. A slight defensive miscue allowed John Tavares to level the terms on a nice breakaway goal midway through the second, but that was all the damage Charlie Lindgren would let the Leafs commit. He repelled 20 of the 21 shots he faced.
Fortune smiled on the Capitals in the third period when the puck bounced off the backboard and right in front of Toronto’s net. This surprised Anthony Stolarz, and Connor McMichael (15th) was happy to oblige and score in the scrum. The Caps would add an empty net goal via Aliaksei Protas (ninth) to put the game to bed.
Montreal Canadiens
Through games since Patrik Laine’s return, the Habs are undefeated. Does that mean anything in the grander scheme of things? Maybe not, but in Montreal these days, the fans will take what they can get.
Thursday’s success came against the sinking Nashville Predators, who couldn’t defy Montembeault’s fine play. The local netminder shielded his net from all 29 shots it faced. Montreal also killed off all five penalties it took, which will also typically pave the way toward a win.
In fact, Montreal made Nashville pay on the power play, as Jake Evans (fifth) netted in the first on an odd-man rush with a fine wrister. There would be no scoring until the final frame when Laine, just as he did in his first game, sniped a shot on the power play from the left and made it 2-0, with Joel Armia (third) depositing the puck into a gaping net late to make it a 3-0 final.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Capitals vs. Canadiens?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 6 Dec 8:13pm | - | - | O +6 -105 |
| Closing 8 Dec 2:23am | - | - | U +5.5 -225 |
- Regular Season
Capitals Team Leaders
| Points |
46 |
| + / - |
24 |
| Shots |
105 |
| Penalty Mins |
44 |
| Wins |
20 |
| GAA |
2.13 |
| Points |
45 |
| + / - |
8 |
| Shots |
130 |
| Penalty Mins |
67 |
| Wins |
16 |
| GAA |
0.98 |
- Regular Season
Canadiens Team Leaders
| Points |
46 |
| + / - |
24 |
| Shots |
105 |
| Penalty Mins |
44 |
| Wins |
20 |
| GAA |
2.13 |
| Points |
45 |
| + / - |
8 |
| Shots |
130 |
| Penalty Mins |
67 |
| Wins |
16 |
| GAA |
0.98 |
Injuries
Charlie Lindgren (G)
Martin Fehervary (D)
Lars Eller (C)
Andrew Mangiapane (LW)
Alex Ovechkin (LW)
Brandon Duhaime (RW)
Sonny Milano (LW)
Jakob Chychrun (D)
Matt Roy (D)
Logan Thompson (G)
Emil Heineman (LW)
Alex Newhook (C)
David Savard (D)
David Savard (D)
Alexandre Carrier (D)
Kaiden Guhle (D)
Mike Matheson (D)
David Savard (D)
Juraj Slafkovsky (LW)
Josh Anderson (RW)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlie Lindgren (G) | Ques Sat | Upper Body - 11 / 01 / 25 | 3-1 | 0-4 | + - |
|
Lindgren has been placed on the injured reserve list with an upper body injury, but he is eligible to be activated to face the Penguins on Saturday. |
|||||
| Martin Fehervary (D) | Ques Thurs | Face - 01 / 01 / 25 | 5-4 | 3-6 | + - |
|
Fehervary is nursing with a face injury, and it is uncertain if he will face Wild on Thursday. |
|||||
| Lars Eller (C) | Late Dec | Illness - 22 / 12 / 24 | 8-6 | 5-9 | + - |
|
Eller has landed on the injured reserve list due to an illness, and he will be sidelined at least the next three games. |
|||||
| Andrew Mangiapane (LW) | Ques Tues | Illness - 16 / 12 / 24 | 9-8 | 5-11-1 | + - |
|
Mangiapane sat out the game due to illness, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Blackhawks on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Alex Ovechkin (LW) | Prob Sat | Leg - 19 / 11 / 24 | 18-11 | 10-17-2 | + - |
|
Ovechkin is dealing with a leg injury, but he is likely to dress against the Maple Leafs on Saturday. |
|||||
| Brandon Duhaime (RW) | Ques Sun | Lower Body - 16 / 11 / 24 | 19-12 | 11-17-3 | + - |
|
Duhaime exited the contest with a lower body injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Golden Knights on Sunday. |
|||||
| Sonny Milano (LW) | Out indefinitely | Upper Body - 08 / 11 / 24 | 20-14 | 12-19-3 | + - |
|
Milano is placed on the injured reserve list with an upper body injury, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date. |
|||||
| Jakob Chychrun (D) | Out indefinitely | Upper Body - 30 / 10 / 24 | 23-15 | 15-20-3 | + - |
|
Chychrun has been placed on injured reserve with an upper body injury, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
| Matt Roy (D) | Out indefinitely | Lower Body - 12 / 10 / 24 | - | - | + - |
|
Roy has been placed on the injured reserve list due to a lower body injury, and he will miss an extended period. |
|||||
| Logan Thompson (G) | Ques Sat | Personal - 08 / 10 / 24 | - | - | + - |
|
Thompson is bothered by a personal issue, and it remains to be seen if he will be in Saturday's lineup versus the Devils. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emil Heineman (LW) | Mid Feb | Upper Body - 14 / 01 / 25 | 4-0 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Heineman suffered an upper-body injury after being involved in a traffic accident, and he is expected to miss the next three-to-four weeks. |
|||||
| Alex Newhook (C) | Ques Tues | Flu - 13 / 01 / 25 | 4-0 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Newhook is dealing with a flu, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Hockey Club on Tuesday. |
|||||
| David Savard (D) | Ques Sat | Upper Body - 03 / 01 / 25 | 7-1 | 2-5-1 | + - |
|
Savard is dealing with an upper body, and it is unclear if he will face the Stars on Saturday. |
|||||
| David Savard (D) | Ques Sat | Upper Body - 12 / 12 / 24 | 13-4 | 7-7-3 | + - |
|
Savard is dealing with an upper body injury, and it is undetermined if he will dress against the Jets on Saturday. |
|||||
| Alexandre Carrier (D) | Out indefinitely | Upper Body - 08 / 12 / 24 | 13-5 | 7-7-4 | + - |
|
Carrier has been placed on injured reserve due to a upper body injury, and he will miss an extended period. |
|||||
| Kaiden Guhle (D) | Ques Sat | Illness - 05 / 12 / 24 | 15-5 | 7-9-4 | + - |
|
Guhle sat out the game due to illness, and it is unclear if he will play against the Capitals on Saturday. |
|||||
| Mike Matheson (D) | Ques Sat | Lower Body - 26 / 11 / 24 | 18-7 | 11-10-4 | + - |
|
Matheson missed the last game managing a lower body injury, and it is up in the air if he will dress against the Rangers on Saturday. |
|||||
| David Savard (D) | Out Sun | Upper Body - 17 / 11 / 24 | 20-7 | 11-12-4 | + - |
|
Savard is battling with a upper body injury, and he is not expected to play against Columbus on Sunday. |
|||||
| Juraj Slafkovsky (LW) | Ques Tues | Head - 03 / 11 / 24 | 22-11 | 13-16-4 | + - |
|
Slafkovsky left the game due to head injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Flames on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Josh Anderson (RW) | Ques Sun | Lower Body - 27 / 10 / 24 | 24-13 | 17-16-4 | + - |
|
Anderson is battling a lower-body injury, and it is undetermined if he will take the court against the Flyers on Sunday. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 6 Dec 8:13pm - - O +6 -105 Closing 8 Dec 2:23am - - U +5.5 -225 -
- Regular Season
Capitals Team Leaders
Points 46
+ / - 24
Shots 105
Penalty Mins 44
Wins 20
GAA 2.13
Points 45
+ / - 8
Shots 130
Penalty Mins 67
Wins 16
GAA 0.98
-
- Regular Season
Canadiens Team Leaders
Points 46
+ / - 24
Shots 105
Penalty Mins 44
Wins 20
GAA 2.13
Points 45
+ / - 8
Shots 130
Penalty Mins 67
Wins 16
GAA 0.98
-
Injuries
Charlie Lindgren (G)
Ques Sat Upper Body - 11 / 01 / 25Martin Fehervary (D)
Ques Thurs Face - 01 / 01 / 25Lars Eller (C)
Late Dec Illness - 22 / 12 / 24Andrew Mangiapane (LW)
Ques Tues Illness - 16 / 12 / 24Alex Ovechkin (LW)
Prob Sat Leg - 19 / 11 / 24Brandon Duhaime (RW)
Ques Sun Lower Body - 16 / 11 / 24Sonny Milano (LW)
Out indefinitely Upper Body - 08 / 11 / 24Jakob Chychrun (D)
Out indefinitely Upper Body - 30 / 10 / 24Matt Roy (D)
Out indefinitely Lower Body - 12 / 10 / 24Logan Thompson (G)
Ques Sat Personal - 08 / 10 / 24Emil Heineman (LW)
Mid Feb Upper Body - 14 / 01 / 25Alex Newhook (C)
Ques Tues Flu - 13 / 01 / 25David Savard (D)
Ques Sat Upper Body - 03 / 01 / 25David Savard (D)
Ques Sat Upper Body - 12 / 12 / 24Alexandre Carrier (D)
Out indefinitely Upper Body - 08 / 12 / 24Kaiden Guhle (D)
Ques Sat Illness - 05 / 12 / 24Mike Matheson (D)
Ques Sat Lower Body - 26 / 11 / 24David Savard (D)
Out Sun Upper Body - 17 / 11 / 24Juraj Slafkovsky (LW)
Ques Tues Head - 03 / 11 / 24Josh Anderson (RW)
Ques Sun Lower Body - 27 / 10 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Charlie Lindgren (G) Ques Sat Upper Body - 11 / 01 / 25 3-1 0-4 + - Lindgren has been placed on the injured reserve list with an upper body injury, but he is eligible to be activated to face the Penguins on Saturday.
Martin Fehervary (D) Ques Thurs Face - 01 / 01 / 25 5-4 3-6 + - Fehervary is nursing with a face injury, and it is uncertain if he will face Wild on Thursday.
Lars Eller (C) Late Dec Illness - 22 / 12 / 24 8-6 5-9 + - Eller has landed on the injured reserve list due to an illness, and he will be sidelined at least the next three games.
Andrew Mangiapane (LW) Ques Tues Illness - 16 / 12 / 24 9-8 5-11-1 + - Mangiapane sat out the game due to illness, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Blackhawks on Tuesday.
Alex Ovechkin (LW) Prob Sat Leg - 19 / 11 / 24 18-11 10-17-2 + - Ovechkin is dealing with a leg injury, but he is likely to dress against the Maple Leafs on Saturday.
Brandon Duhaime (RW) Ques Sun Lower Body - 16 / 11 / 24 19-12 11-17-3 + - Duhaime exited the contest with a lower body injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Golden Knights on Sunday.
Sonny Milano (LW) Out indefinitely Upper Body - 08 / 11 / 24 20-14 12-19-3 + - Milano is placed on the injured reserve list with an upper body injury, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Jakob Chychrun (D) Out indefinitely Upper Body - 30 / 10 / 24 23-15 15-20-3 + - Chychrun has been placed on injured reserve with an upper body injury, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Matt Roy (D) Out indefinitely Lower Body - 12 / 10 / 24 - - + - Roy has been placed on the injured reserve list due to a lower body injury, and he will miss an extended period.
Logan Thompson (G) Ques Sat Personal - 08 / 10 / 24 - - + - Thompson is bothered by a personal issue, and it remains to be seen if he will be in Saturday's lineup versus the Devils.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Emil Heineman (LW) Mid Feb Upper Body - 14 / 01 / 25 4-0 1-3 + - Heineman suffered an upper-body injury after being involved in a traffic accident, and he is expected to miss the next three-to-four weeks.
Alex Newhook (C) Ques Tues Flu - 13 / 01 / 25 4-0 1-3 + - Newhook is dealing with a flu, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Hockey Club on Tuesday.
David Savard (D) Ques Sat Upper Body - 03 / 01 / 25 7-1 2-5-1 + - Savard is dealing with an upper body, and it is unclear if he will face the Stars on Saturday.
David Savard (D) Ques Sat Upper Body - 12 / 12 / 24 13-4 7-7-3 + - Savard is dealing with an upper body injury, and it is undetermined if he will dress against the Jets on Saturday.
Alexandre Carrier (D) Out indefinitely Upper Body - 08 / 12 / 24 13-5 7-7-4 + - Carrier has been placed on injured reserve due to a upper body injury, and he will miss an extended period.
Kaiden Guhle (D) Ques Sat Illness - 05 / 12 / 24 15-5 7-9-4 + - Guhle sat out the game due to illness, and it is unclear if he will play against the Capitals on Saturday.
Mike Matheson (D) Ques Sat Lower Body - 26 / 11 / 24 18-7 11-10-4 + - Matheson missed the last game managing a lower body injury, and it is up in the air if he will dress against the Rangers on Saturday.
David Savard (D) Out Sun Upper Body - 17 / 11 / 24 20-7 11-12-4 + - Savard is battling with a upper body injury, and he is not expected to play against Columbus on Sunday.
Juraj Slafkovsky (LW) Ques Tues Head - 03 / 11 / 24 22-11 13-16-4 + - Slafkovsky left the game due to head injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Flames on Tuesday.
Josh Anderson (RW) Ques Sun Lower Body - 27 / 10 / 24 24-13 17-16-4 + - Anderson is battling a lower-body injury, and it is undetermined if he will take the court against the Flyers on Sunday.