Two teams heading in very opposite directions clash Saturday night when the Washington Capitals host the Montreal Canadiens. The Caps have arguably been the best team in the NHL during the month of December with an 8-1-1 while winning their past six games. The Habs have won just two games in the month of December and have registered the loss in five-straight.
- The UNDER is 6-2 in the Canadiens past eight games.
- The Capitals are 12-4 in their last 16 games against the Canadiens.
- The Capitals are 18-1-0 when they score first this season.
The Canadiens have been riddled with injuries over the past two months with Carey Price, Brendan Gallagher and Jeff Petry all finding themselves sidelined. The Habs may be missing Gallagher the most as the offense has completely dried up without the winger in the lineup. In the 14 games since Gallagher had surgery to repair two broken fingers, the Canadiens have averaged a pathetic 1.9 goals per game.
For years the Capitals were known as pure offense that would need to outscore you to win, but not this season. The Caps have allowed the fewest goals per game in the NHL thanks to Vezina favorite Braden Holtby. The goaltender leads the NHL in wins (21) and goals against average (1.96) while posting a 13-0-1 record in his past 15 starts.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
If you're backing the visiting Montreal Canadiens in this one, they Canadiens listed earlier today as underdogs of 175 at most sportsbooks, including Sportsbook. Those over/under total betting saw the number open in the area of 5, depending on the book.
Odds Shark computer prediction formulas pick a 4.2-1 win for the Capitals on Saturday. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Washington Capitals currently sport a record of 25-6-2. The Montreal Canadiens are 20-13-3. Betting totals have seen the Capitals post a 11-16-6 OVER/UNDER record this season, while the Canadiens have gone 16-14-6 against the number. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Washington vs Montreal injuries news.
The NHL Power Rankings show a disparity between these teams, with the Washington Capitals rated this week at No. 1 and the Montreal Canadiens sitting at No. 25.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Washington's No. 2-ranked offense, averaging 3.18 goals per game, against a Canadiens defense that ranks No. 9 at 2.47 goals allowed. The Capitals power play is averaging 26.73% while the Canadiens defense kills off 84.21% of their penalties.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Montreal was a 2-1 loser in its last match on the road against the Wild. They lost as +133 underdogs, while the total score of 3 made Sportsbooks of UNDER bettors.
The Capitals were a 2-1 Sportsbook in their most recent outing on the road against the Hurricanes. That made Sportsbooks of bettors who got Washington at -117 on the moneyline, while the total score (3) was good news for OVER bettors.
- Montreal is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Montreal's last 8 games
- Montreal is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
- The total has gone OVER in 9 of Montreal's last 13 games on the road
- Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
- Washington is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games when playing Montreal
- The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Washington's last 21 games when playing Montreal
Next Betting Matchups
Montreal at Tampa Bay, Monday, December 28th
Washington at Buffalo, Monday, December 28th
