Capital One Arena will play host to an Eastern Conference matchup as the Washington Capitals welcome the visiting Montreal Canadiens. The opening face-off is at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, January 19, and you’ll be able to witness the game live on Reseau Des Sports.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Washington Capitals Odds
The Capitals are 28-18 straight up (SU) and have netted 8.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked fourth in the NHL in this young season, is a regression from the 55-27 record that the team managed during last year’s regular season campaign. Through 46 regular season outings, 25 of its games have gone over the total, while 20 have gone under and none have pushed. The team’s 18-6 SU at home this year.
Washington’s converted on 18.9 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 21st overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.5 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Washington has been whistled for penalties 4.2 times per game overall this season, and 3.2 per game over its last five at home. The team has had to kill penalties for 8.5 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.
With a .916 save percentage and 28.6 saves per game, Braden Holtby (24-10-1) has been the top goalkeeper for the Capitals this season. Holtby did just play last night, however, so the team may choose to give him a rest and instead go with Philipp Grubauer (4-11-11 record, .916 save percentage, 2.60 goals against average).
The Caps will continue seeking offensive production from Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Ovechkin (49 points) has put up 28 goals and 21 assists and has recorded multiple points 13 times this year. Kuznetsov has 13 goals and 29 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 26 contests.
On the other side of the ice, Montreal is 18-27 straight up (SU) and has lost 13.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 24 of its outings have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and just two have pushed. Montreal’s 7-14 SU as the road team this season.
Montreal has converted on 19.3 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 27th overall and it’s successfully killed off 77.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
Montreal’s skaters have been penalized 3.8 times per game in total this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five contests. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays just 6.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Carey Price (.908 save percentage and 2.96 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Montreal. Price is averaging 28.0 saves per game and has 13 wins, 19 losses, and four overtime losses to his credit.
Leading the offensive counter for the visiting Canadiens will be Alex Galchenyuk (11 goals, 15 assists) and Max Pacioretty (12 goals, 13 assists).
Montreal Canadiens at Washington Capitals Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Capitals, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
The over has hit in three of Washington’s last five games.
Montreal has managed 29.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Washington is averaging 33.2 shots per game over its last five at home.
The extra-man advantage may be even more critical than usual tonight. The Canadiens are 5-8 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 13-19 when they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 total minutes. The Capitals are 9-4 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 15-8 when their penalty minutes are in the single digits.
Two of Montreal’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-2 overall in shootouts this season.
Washington is ranked 16th this season with 7.3 takeaways per game. That figure has trended upward, as the team has averaged 8.9 takeaways over its last 10 games and 8.2 takeaways over its last five.
Montreal has allowed 3.2 goals per game overall this season, but is allowing 4.3 goals per match up over its last three games (0-3 SU over that span).
Montreal is ranked 19th in the league with 7.0 takeaways per game. That figure has trended higher, as it has averaged 10.4 takeaways over its last 10 games and 10.6 takeaways over its last five.
