Canadiens vs. Capitals Prediction, Betting Pick, Latest Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds for Game 1
The Washington Capitals locked up the top seed in the Eastern Conference, and now begin their Stanley Cup Playoff campaign on Monday night. Can Alexander Ovechkin and the Caps take care of the Canadiens in Game 1 of the first round? Matt MacKay provides his Canadiens vs. Capitals prediction and betting pick to get it started.
Matt MacKay - April 21, 2025, 4:10 PM EDT
5 minCANADIENS VS. CAPITALS PREDICTION, BETTING PICK, LATEST STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS ODDS FOR GAME 1
The Montreal Canadiens will head to Washington D.C. to face the Washington Capitals for Game 1 of their First Round NHL Stanley Cup Playoff series on Monday night. Alex Ovechkin's red-hot finish to the regular season saw the Capitals' veteran forward break Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal scoring record, Now, he'll look to continue setting records against Montreal.
The Capitals are being valued as home favorites at -188 moneyline odds, with a goal total set to 6.5. The total has climbed from 5.5 to 6.5 since opening, while Washington has dropped from -205 to -188 on their moneyline odds.
NHL handicapper Matt MacKay is back to share his best game pick to place on the Montreal Canadiens versus Washington Capitals using the latest odds ahead of Monday night's puck drop. Follow Matt's X account for more NHL betting insight and free picks throughout the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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CANADIENS VS. CAPITALS ODDS
- Spread: Canadiens +1.5 (-155), Capitals -1.5 (+130)
- Moneyline: Canadiens (+164), Capitals (-198)
- Total: Over 6.5 (+114), Under 6.5 (-135)
CANADIENS VS. CAPITALS DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: Monday, April 21, 2025
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- How to Watch: ESPN
Click here to see complete Canadiens vs. Capitals Odds
CANADIENS VS. CAPITALS PREDICTION
Montreal is the healthier roster entering Game 1 on Monday night. Washington is playing without D Nicklas Backstrom, F T.J. Oshie, F Sonny Milano and F Aliaksei Protas. Goaltender Logan Thompson is also returning from an upper-body injury. Thompson missed the last six regular season games and is making his first start since April 2nd.
The Canadiens have been playing high-stakes hockey for several weeks, so they'll be ready to roll on the road against the Capitals. During the regular season, Washington won this head-to-head series, 2-1. However, Montreal did win their most recent matchup in January at Capital One Arena, recording a 3-2 overtime win.
Montreal allowed the ninth-most goals per game this season at 3.18, while scoring 2.96 goals per game, ranked 16th in the NHL. Washington finished the regular season leading the league in shooting percentage (12.6%) and second in goals scored per game at 3.49. The Capitals held opponents to 2.79 goals per game, tied eighth-fewest.
Despite punching their ticket into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Montreal lost three of its final four games, shut out by Toronto and losing in a penalty shootout against Chicago. Washington's final stretch wasn't pretty either, going 2-4 SU.
The Capitals' moneyline is a bit too juiced for my liking at -188 odds. It's moved to a better value since opening at -205, which is intriguing to monitor. Thompson's return to the net is huge for Washington, as their top goaltender went 31-6 as a starter with two shutouts, a 2.49 GAA and .910 save percentage.
Sam Montembeault is expected to start for Montreal in between the pipes for Game 1. Montembeault is a volatile netminder who cannot be trusted. He's got a 2.82 GAA and .901 save percentage, along with four shutouts recorded this season.
The goaltending edge definitely goes to Thompson. Washington is a more physical team that should be able to control time of possession and limit Montreal's scoring chances.
Let's bet a unit on the Capitals 60 Minute Moneyline at -115 odds. I don't expect this game to need extra time to determine the winner. Washington will undoubtedly win as home favorites with their best goaltender back on the ice and the home crowd cheering them on in a favorable matchup.
CANADIENS VS. CAPITALS PICK
- Pick: Capitals 60 Minute Moneyline (-115) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best Canadiens vs. Capitals odds
NHL ODDS
