The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs are off to a hot start, but the Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens have been waiting patiently for their turn for the puck to drop on their series.
Montreal is certainly out-matched in this series, but could it come out and surprise the Washington in Game 1? You never know how the first game of a series will go, but the Habs have momentum on their side.
Find out why my Capitals vs. Canadiens predictions and NHL picks for Game 1 on Monday, April 22nd, 2025, favor the total.
Who will win Canadiens vs Capitals Game 1?
The Washington Capitals were the best and most consistent team in the Eastern Conference all season long. That said, the Capitals team we saw for the first 67 games was not the same group that we saw in the last 15.
In the final month of the season, Washington skated to a 7-7-1 record and took their feet off the gas. On the other side, the Canadiens needed to scratch and claw their way into the playoffs, which they did by skating to a record of 8-4-4.
The Capitals should flip the switch and dominate in Game 1, but I do think the Canadiens could catch them by surprise, so it’s tough to pick a side for the opening game of this series. Still, I lean Washington.
Canadiens vs Capitals prediction
My Canadiens vs Capitals pick: Over 6 (-102 at Sports Interaction)
The Capitals and Canadiens both have a ton of offensive weapons on their respective rosters. The Capitals offense dried up a bit toward the end of the season, but I’m confident they will turn it back on once the puck drops.
The Capitals were the second-highest-scoring team in the league this season, averaging 3.49 goals per game, while skating to a power-play percentage of 23.5%.
They got soild goaltending from their tandem of Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren all year, but it hasn’t been confirmed yet about which goalie is starting. Thompson suffered an upper-body injury on April 2nd and hasn’t played since, so it will be interesting to see if he gets the start.
Lindgren played in the majority of games down the stretch and skated to a record of 5-3-0 with a .889 save percentage and a 2.98 goals against average in his last eight.
The Canadiens finished the season scoring 2.96 goals per game, but they were so much better in the second half of the season than they were in the first. In the last 26 games of the season, the Habs averaged 3.15 goals per game. On the flip side, this will be the debut in the playoffs for their goaltender Sam Montembeault, so it’s not fair to say he can be trusted in the postseason.
Nick Suzuki and Lane Hutson were on fire down the stretch for Montreal. Suzuki had 20 points in the final 16 games, while Hutson had 14.
For the Capitals, Alexander Ovechkin and Dylan Strome led the way. Ovechkin had 18 points in his final 14 games, while Strome added 17 points in his last 15.
There hasn’t been a low-scoring game just yet in these playoffs, and I don’t think the first one will come from these two teams.
Canadiens vs Capitals same-game parlay (SGP)
Over 6
Capitals moneyline
Alexander Ovechkin 3+ shots on goal
The Capitals are a much heavier and deeper team and should dominate this game if they can really turn it on.
I don’t think the Canadiens have a chance in this series, but Washington needs to come out and set the tone. The Caps have much more playoff experience, are a better offensive team, have a stronger blue line, and have gotten consistent goaltending through the entire season.
Ovechkin had quite the season and has been on fire since returning from injury. In his last 14 games, Ovechkin had 10 goals and put up 47 shots on goal. The man has been shooting everything. This season, he averaged 3.68 shots on goal per game and after his disappointing playoffs last year, where he had zero points in four games, he should be fired up to be back in the playoffs.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Canadiens vs Capitals odds
Canadiens vs Capitals live odds
Canadiens vs Capitals opening odds
- Puck line: Montreal +1.5 (-160) | Washington -1.5 (+135)
- Moneyline: Montreal +160 | Washington -190
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-115) | Under 5.5 (-105)
Odds courtesy of Sports Interaction
Canadiens vs Capitals trend
Washington has won three of the last four meetings between these two teams. Find more NHL betting trends for Canadiens vs. Capitals.
How to watch Canadiens vs Capitals
| Location | Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C. |
| Date | Monday, 4-21-2025 |
| Puck drop | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Sportsnet, ESPN |
Canadiens vs Capitals latest injuries
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