The Montreal Canadiens head to Capital One Arena to face the Washington Capitals on Thursday, October 31, and the Habs will look to return to the win column following a tough loss last time out.
Washington could be ripe for a letdown following a statement 5-3 divisional win over the New York Rangers on Tuesday, and our Canadiens vs. Capitals predictions are calling for a high-scoring affair.
The puck is set to drop at 7 p.m. ET on TSN2, and our NHL picks have you covered.
Canadiens vs Capitals prediction
My Canadiens pick
Over 6 (-120 at BET99)
My Canadiens analysis
How the Montreal Canadiens respond to Tuesday’s 8-2 home loss to the Seattle Kraken will be an early telltale sign of just how resilient and competitive the Habs can be.
Montreal potted nine total goals in consecutive wins prior to Tuesday’s slip-up, and the Canadiens have been sneaky good offensively with the 15th-most goals (2.65) and 12th-most expected goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5. The Habs also sport an 11th-ranked 22.9% power-play.
Additionally, Montreal got winger Juraj Slafkovsky back Tuesday, and he was in on one of Montreal’s two tallies to give him seven points through seven games. He’s following up last season’s breakout finish nicely, and Slafkovsky also gives Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis the ability to allocate the scoring wealth across the top two lines.
On the flip side, the Washington Capitals have cruised to a 6-2 start while scoring the fourth-most goals per 60 minutes (3.4) and posting a second-ranked 58.9 expected goals percentage at 5-on-5. The Caps also likely have positive regression ahead of their 31st-ranked 7.4 power-play percentage considering a similar personnel group posted a 20.6% mark last year.
I also think this is a ripe letdown spot for Washington. The Capitals haven’t received high-end goaltending, either, and likely starter Charlie Lindgren sports a replacement-level .895 save percentage.
Finally, the Habs have played to the Over in five consecutive games, and the Caps have gone Over the number in four of their past five.
Canadiens vs Capitals same-game parlay (SGP)
Over 6
Brendan Gallagher Over 1.5 shots
Connor McMichael Over 0.5 points
Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher has recorded two or more shots in eight of 10 games this season, and he’s a middle-six staple and receives looks with the No. 2 power-play unit. The veteran is also second in both overall shots (9.8) and attempts (16.73) per 60 for the Habs and has the second-ranked 47.6 Corsi For percentage.
Caps forward Connor McMichael is in the beginning stages of a true breakout campaign. The 2019 first-round collected 33 points — 18 goals — during his second full season last year, and he’s clicking on a line with Pierre-Luc Dubois and Tom Wilson while also receiving a slight uptick in power-play time.
Dubois, Wilson, and McMichael have been on the ice for 4.7 goals per 60 while diving possession at 5-on-5 with a 52.3 CF%.
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Canadiens vs Capitals odds
Canadiens vs Capitals live odds
Canadiens vs Capitals opening odds
- Puck line: Montreal +1.5 (-150) | Washington -1.5 (+125)
- Moneyline: Montreal +165 | Washington -200
- Over/Under: Over 6 (-120) | Under 6 (+100)
Canadiens vs Capitals trend
The Montreal Canadiens have played to the Over in five consecutive games, and the Washington Capitals have gone Over the number in four of their past five. Find more NHL betting trends for Canadiens vs. Capitals.
How to watch Canadiens vs Capitals
| Location: | Capital One Arena, Washington, DC |
| Date: | Thursday, 10-31-2024 |
| Puck drop: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TSN2 |
Canadiens vs Capitals latest injuries
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