The Montreal Canadiens visit the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on Wednesday night, with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Our Canadiens vs. Capitals prediction is Over 6.5 goals, in the second half of a back-to-back for both clubs.
Washington is coming off a divisional road trip to Carolina, while Montreal played in Buffalo on Tuesday night before making the trip south. Both teams will be relying on tired legs, which can cut either way for a total this large.
As always, make sure you’re wagering with one of the best NHL betting sites before locking in any wagers.
Canadiens vs. Capitals Prediction: Over 6.5 goals
Washington’s offence has shown real promise early in the season behind the addition of Alex Tuch, who scored twice in his Capitals debut, a 5-2 win over Carolina on Oct. 2 that also saw Alex Ovechkin pick up an assist in his 22nd NHL season opener. That kind of firepower, paired with Montreal’s own high-event style built around Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki and Ivan Demidov, gives this total a reasonable path to the over.
The counterpoint is fatigue: both clubs are playing for the second night in a row, which can just as easily produce a sluggish, low-event game as it can an track-meet. We’re banking on both teams playing loosely though, and letting the goals flow in a back-and-forth affair.
Canadiens vs. Capitals odds
| Canadiens moneyline odds | +105 |
| Capitals moneyline odds | -125 |
| Puck line odds | Capitals -1.5 (+185), Canadiens +1.5 (-225) |
| Game total | Over 6.5 goals (-125), Under 6.5 (+105) |
| Date/time | Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m. ET |
Probable starting goaltenders
Montreal: Jakub Dobes (1-2, 4.43 GAA, .857 SV%)
Washington: Charlie Lindgren (0-1, 2.08 GAA, .931 SV%)
Betting the Canadiens
Montreal enters the second half of a back-to-back having played at home against Buffalo on Tuesday night in a game that required a shootout. The Canadiens’ top forwards, led by Suzuki and Caufield, give Montreal a credible scoring threat on most nights, and rookie defenceman Lane Hutson continues to anchor the power play after a standout sophomore campaign that saw him tie a franchise record for assists by a defenceman.
Montreal is still integrating several young pieces into its lineup, including Demidov, who has been dealing with a day-to-day foot issue, and defenceman Mike Matheson is also day-to-day with an injury.
Betting the Capitals
Washington’s offseason additions have made an immediate impact. Tuch, acquired from Buffalo in a sign-and-trade, has given the Capitals another legitimate scoring option alongside Ovechkin, Dylan Strome and Tom Wilson. Washington is also playing the second half of a back-to-back, having played in Carolina on Tuesday night, which could leave its legs fresher for an opponent making the longer trip south.
Goaltending remains a key storyline for the Capitals, who have leaned on Logan Thompson early in the season. How much mileage is left in his legs after a heavy workload through the first two weeks will be worth watching against a Montreal team that can push the pace.
Player prop trends
- Boone Jenner has recorded two or more shots on goal in seven straight games dating back to last season. He’s around -130 to match that number on Wednesday.
- Lane Hutson has recorded two or more shots on goal in five straight games, averaging 2.6 per game during that span. He’s around -120 to extend that run.
- Ryan Leonard has recorded at least a point in four straight games and in five of six games this season. He’s +1.5 to record a point.
- Jenner has scored in three straight games and is +450 to light the lamp again Wednesday.
- Ovechkin has recorded two shots or fewer in five of his six games this season. He’s +110 to record under 2.5 shots on goal.
