Squaring off for the third and final time this year, the Washington Capitals and the Montreal Canadiens clash at Bell Centre for an Eastern Conference showdown. The opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 24, and you’ll be able to catch the game live on Sportsnet.
Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens Odds
Washington (+155) is currently the underdog to Washington (-175) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The odds for betting that total sit at -120 for the over and +100 for the under.
Washington is 43-31 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 7.4 units this season. Through 74 regular season matches, 42 of its games have gone over the total, while 31 have gone under and just one has pushed. This 2017-18 Capitals team is 17-20 SU on the road.
Washington has converted on 22.4 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s good enough for seventh-best in the league. Its penalty kill is ranked 18th overall, and it has successfully killed off 79.9 percent of its penalties.
Washington, as a collective unit, has been called for penalties 4.1 times per game overall in the 2017-18 season, and 3.2 per game over its last five on the road. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 7.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Boasting a .906 save percentage and 27.5 saves per game, Braden Holtby (31-19-4) has been the primary option in goal for Washington this year. If it chooses to rest him, however, Washington could go with Philipp Grubauer (12-19-3), who has a .926 save percentage and 2.29 goals against average this year.
Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov will both be relied on to facilitate things for the visiting Capitals. Ovechkin (81 points) has tallied 44 goals and 37 assists, and has recorded multiple points 22 times. Kuznetsov has 21 goals and 50 assists to his name, and has registered a point in 42 games.
Montreal is 27-48 straight up (SU) and has lost 24.9 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 40 of its contests have gone under the total, while 32 have gone over and just two have pushed. This season, the teams 17-20 SU as the home team.
Montreal has converted on 20.2 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 31st overall, and it’s successfully killed off 74.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
Montreal players have been called for penalties 3.8 times per game in total this season, 3.6 per game over their past five outings total, and 4.4 per game over their last five at home. The teams had to kill penalties 12.8 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Carey Price (27.4 saves per game) has been the top option in goal for Montreal. Price has 15 wins, 29 losses, and six OT losses to his name and has recorded a subpar .903 save percentage and 3.03 goals against average this year.
Brendan Gallagher (27 goals, 19 assists) will pace the offensive attack for the Canadiens.
Washington Capitals at Montreal Canadiens Free Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- The total has gone over in three of Montreal’s last five outings.
- Washington’s attempted 28.9 shots per game overall this season (ranked 32nd in the NHL), and 25.6 in its last five road games.
- Power plays and penalty kills may prove to be extremely important in the outcome of this game. The Capitals are 14-8 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 24-15 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Canadiens are 10-14 when the team serves fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 20-31 in games where their penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Montreal is 2-6 in games decided by a shootout this season while Washington is 3-1 in shootouts.
- Montreal is ranked 16th overall with 7.2 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended down, however, as the team has averaged 6.5 takeaways over its last 10 games and 6.2 takeaways over its last five.
- Washington is ranked 18th in the league with 7.1 takeaways per game. That figure has trended lower lately, however, as it’s created 5.9 takeaways over its last 10 games and 6.0 takeaways over its last five.
- Washington may hold the upper hand if this one comes down to the wire. The teams an impressive 19-12 in games decided by one goal, while Montreal is 10-15 in such games.
