Canadiens vs Capitals Odds: Bum Teams To Produce a Boring Result?
Montreal and Washington are Hard To Watch!
Capitals, and Canadiens Combine For a Low Total
Expect a “grindy” ugly game when the Montreal Canadiens visit the Washington Capitals. These teams are ranked 28th and 30th in offense and, in Washington’s case, get by edging teams. Montreal is a fast young team that should be prolific at scoring goals. But NHL injuries have whittled down this team’s prospects. As such, the Canadiens vs Capitals odds have a total of six goals going under (-125).
Canadiens vs Capitals 
Day/Time:
Records: Canadiens (20-21-8)/Capitals (22-18-7)
Location: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
Streaming: Watch Live Sports
Washington can stop the act now. Almost everyone knows that this NHL team just has not accepted that it is closer to a rebuilding franchise than a contender. The Capitals have hung on thanks to some hot goaltending from Charlie Lindgren. But everything else is subpar, especially the offense.
The Capitals average just 2.5 goals per game and 29 scoring chances. That won’t cut it as evidenced by this team’s 6-22 (6-16-6) record when it allows three or more goals. That’s the magic number. Given the team’s current NHL odds to win this game, the Caps could neutralize Montreal enough.
The hosts lost 3-2 against the Canadiens in Montreal early in the year. But that was Darcy Kuemper in goal. Lindgren is vastly superior to his older counterpart as he has a 91.6% save percentage and 7.7 goals saved above average compared to Kuemper’s at 89.2% and -8.0.
Washington is also 11-3 (11-2-1) as a favorite. That’s mainly because it is only favored against the worst teams in the NHL like Anaheim and Chicago. Montreal is a tier above these chumps even if it is also an also-ran. The Canadiens vs Capitals odds have Washington at -160, which seems a bit steep given how these teams are separated by just a few percentages.
Still, Washington could have the edge in goal if Lindgren starts. He’s also facing his old team, which will now be without leading goal-scorer Sean Monahan. He opened the scoring for Montreal in their first meeting. Now, the NHL game predictions are altered with his recent trade.
With Monahan Gone, Who’s Next For Montreal?
Unlike their opponents, Montreal knows it’s rebuilding and will look to continue “showcasing” hockey players they can trade for more assets. It’s just a question of “who’s next?” 33-year-old defenseman David Savard is allegedly on the market for the “right price.”
“I haven’t had a discussion with David yet. “But my door is always open. Am I open to moving him? I’m open to moving anyone on the team as long as it improves the team. But I can’t say that we’re actively looking to trade Savard,” said Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes via a tweet from Marco D’Amico of Montreal Hockey Now.
Savard is one of the Canadiens’ leading skaters. He ranks fourth in average ice time and third in blocked shots. Moving him would mean a worse defense for Montreal, which is already giving up the third-most scoring chances per 60 minutes at 33 a game.
Jake Allen had a hot start in goal. But he’s now averaged allowing 3.43 goals per NHL game with a measly 90.1% SV%. Sam Montembault and Cayden Primeau or no better as no Montreal netminder averages better than a 90.5% SV%.
With the low total on the Canadiens vs Capitals odds, betting the ‘over’ could be a shrewd fade against the public. Montreal may only average 2.8 goals per game. But it allows over 3.6 on the road. And its penalty kill is only at 72.7%, which is a paucity given how often Montreal commits penalties (over four per game).
If Washington can figure out its 28th-ranked power play (13.9%), it may just score a few on the undermanned Canadiens. Betting the ‘over’ in NHL picks and parlays could be a play.
For NHL scores today, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
