Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals Game 2 Pick – 4/21/2025

The Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens are set to face off in Game 1 of their first-round series in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Monday night at Capital One Arena. This marks the second postseason meeting between these franchises, with their previous encounter in 2010 resulting in a seven-game series victory for Montreal. The puck drops at 7:00 PM Eastern Time.

Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals Game 2 Preview

During the regular season, the Capitals secured the top spot in the Eastern Conference with a 51-22-9 record, translating to a .677 points percentage. Conversely, the Canadiens clinched the second wild-card position with a 40-31-11 record, reflecting a .555 points percentage.

The season series between these teams saw Washington winning two of the three matchups:

• October 31, 2024: Washington 6, Montreal 3
• December 7, 2024: Washington 4, Montreal 2
• January 10, 2025: Montreal 3, Washington 2 (OT)

Heading into the playoffs, Washington has experienced a dip in form, posting a 4-7-1 record since March 25, including three losses in their final four games. Montreal, on the other hand, has been more consistent, going 15-5-6 after the 4 Nations Faceoff, though they did lose three consecutive games before winning their season finale against Carolina on April 16.

Offensively, the Capitals are led by Alex Ovechkin, who averaged 1.12 points per game during the regular season, despite missing 16 games due to injury. Dylan Strome also contributed significantly with a point-per-game average. For Montreal, Nick Suzuki led the team with 89 points, while Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson were the only other Canadiens to surpass 60 points.

Defensively, Washington has been more robust, allowing 2.79 goals per game, compared to Montreal's 3.18. The Capitals also boast a superior penalty kill at 82.0%, ranking sixth in the league, while the Canadiens stand at 80.9%.

Betting Insights

As the higher seed and with home-ice advantage, Washington enters the series as the favorite. According to Caesars, the series betting odds are:

• Montreal: +160
• Washington: -190

These odds reflect the expectation that Washington is likely to win the series, with a 4-1 or 4-2 outcome being the most anticipated.

Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals Game 1 Prediction

Considering the regular-season performances, head-to-head matchups, and current form, Washington appears to have the upper hand. Their offensive depth, led by Ovechkin and Strome, combined with a solid defensive structure, positions them favorably. Additionally, their home record has been strong, providing an added advantage.

Montreal's path to victory would require tightening their defensive play and capitalizing on power-play opportunities. The performance of their goaltender, likely Samuel Montembeault, will be crucial in keeping the games competitive.

Given these factors, the prediction for Game 1 is a Washington victory, potentially by a margin of two goals. Bettors might consider the Capitals on the moneyline and explore the over/under market, keeping in mind both teams' offensive capabilities and recent defensive performances.

As always, while statistical analysis provides insights, the unpredictable nature of playoff hockey means surprises can occur. Bettors should consider all factors and wager responsibly.

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