Canadiens vs Capitals Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NHL Game

Montreal fell on its face last time out, losing 8-2 to the Kraken. While our NHL picks expect another Over to cash tonight, we like the Habs to contribute much more of their own offense.

Neil Parker - Analyst at Covers.com
Neil Parker • Betting Analyst
Oct 31, 2024 • 11:38 ET • 4 min read
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This article contains predictions for an old game!

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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%.

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 (-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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Betting Analyst

Neil Parker is, first and foremost, a sports fan. A huge supporter of the Cowboys, Cubs, and Maple Leafs, he has managed to parlay his passion into writing gigs with Sportsbook Review, USA TODAY, theScore, DraftKings Playbook, and RotoWire, among many others. He also co-hosted the Daily Fantasy Edge podcast and can now be seen offering expert golf and hockey advice on Covers’ Before you Bet broadcast.

Neil takes a numbers-based approach to his handicapping and complements his in-depth statistical analysis with a keen eye on the markets to provide the best available odds. He loves to lean on his rolodex of idioms to offset his inner nerd. When it comes to wagering, he throws down on anything that catches his eye at bet365, Betway and BetVictor. He also keeps a close eye on CoolBet because the polar bear brand often has outlier NHL and NFL moneyline prices.

Neil graduated with honors from St. Thomas University in 2007 before completing his BEd at Acadia University in 2010. After teaching a myriad of courses and subjects, he found a groove delivering fun lessons to exceptional learners in non-traditional classroom environments. If his decade-plus teaching run taught him anything about sports betting, it’s to stay the course and use the summer – or offseason – to refresh and prepare to be better in the year to come.

Neil’s top pieces of advice for recreational bettors are to stay within your means and to remember sportsbooks aren’t bank accounts. Don’t be afraid to pull those winnings and treat yourself to a lifetime experience courtesy of a big win.

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