Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals Prediction 2-17-24 Picks

The Washington Capitals will play the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. Washington has lost eight of their last nine games, while Montreal has lost three of their last four. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Capitals vs Canadiens prediction.

Capitals Preview

The Washington Capitals are 23-21-8 this year after they lost to Colorado by a score of 6-3 in their last game. Washington cut the deficit to 4-3 in the third period, but they allowed the last two goals for the loss. The Capitals were out shot by a total of 37-27 and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Washington has lost eight of their last nine games, with the lone win in that span coming on the road against the Bruins. The Capitals are scoring 2.38 goals per game and they are allowing 3.08 goals against per game, while going 15.2% on the power play and 80% on the penalty kill. Alex Ovechkin has led Washington with 14 goals, 23 assists, and 170 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Washington is Charlie Lindgren, who is 10-8-4 this year with a 2.65 goals against average and a .913 save percentage. 

Canadiens Preview

The Montreal Canadiens are 22-24-8 this season after they lost to the Rangers by a score of 7-4 in their last game. Montreal led 1-0 in the first period, but New York scored the next four goals to pull away in the game. The Canadiens out shot New York by a total of 36-31 and went 1-5 on the power play in the game. Montreal defeated Anaheim by a score of 5-0 in the game prior to New York, but lost to St. Louis and Dallas before that. The Canadiens are scoring 2.78 goals per game and they are allowing 3.52 goals against per game, while going 19.9% on the power play and 74.3% on the penalty kill. Nick Suzuki has led Montreal with 19 goals, 33 assists, and 122 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Montreal is Sam Montembeault, who is 12-9-4 this year with a 3.21 goals against average and a .903 save percentage. 

Montreal Canadiens Team Facts

• The Canadiens have won each of their last three games as underdogs against the Capitals.
• The Canadiens have covered the puck line in each of their last eight Saturday games at Bell Centre.
• The Canadiens have won the first period in each of their last seven games as underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in 14 of the Canadiens’ last 15 games following a road loss.

Washington Capitals Team Facts

• The Capitals have lost 11 of their last 12 night games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six night games.
• The Capitals have lost the second period in each of their last five night games following a home loss.
• The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in five of the Capitals’ last seven games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.

Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts

• Nick Suzuki has scored at least one goal in each of the Canadiens’ last four games at Bell Centre.
• Cole Caufield has recorded at least one point in each of the Canadiens’ last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Nick Suzuki has recorded an assist in each of the Canadiens’ last six games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Nick Suzuki ranks 1st in the league for shootout goals (4) this season.

Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts

• Alex Ovechkin has scored a goal in each of the Capitals’ last three night games.
• Alex Ovechkin has recorded at least one point in each of his last nine appearances with the Capitals as favorites against the Canadiens.
• John Carlson has recorded an assist in each of the Capitals’ last four games at Bell Centre.
• Dylan Strome has recorded two assists against the Canadiens this season – equal-most against any opponent.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Montreal Canadiens rank 27th in the league for goals per game this season (2.78).
• The Montreal Canadiens rank 32nd in the league for power play goals against this season (49).
• The Washington Capitals rank 31st in the league for Period 3 goals scored per game this season (0.71).
• The Washington Capitals rank 29th in the league for shots per game this season (27.6).

Capitals vs Canadiens Betting Prediction

Washington limps into this matchup after losing eight of their last nine games and they are only 10-12-3 on the road this season. Montreal has lost three of their last four games and they have allowed 14 goals in their last two losses. The Canadiens haven’t been able to take advantage of home ice, as they are just 11-14-3 at home this year. I don’t love how either of these teams are playing right now, but I am going to take a chance on the low total. Both teams have struggled on defense in recent games and I think we could see a good amount of goals here. Take the over.