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The Washington Capitals take a 2-0 lead to Montreal for their third match against the Canadiens in the first round of the playoffs. Washington is in control of the series and they are the betting favorites to win the showdown and take a 3-0 lead. Our latest NHL betting picks on the match are below.
- What: NHL
- Who: Montreal Canadiens vs. Washington Capitals
- Where: Centre Bell, Montreal, Canada
- When: Friday April 25th, 2025
- Time: 7 p.m ET
The Montreal Canadiens are 40-31-11 overall. They also have a home record of 23-12-6. The Canadiens finished the regular season fifth in the Atlantic Division with 91 points from 82 matches.
The Washington Capitals are 51-22-9 overall. The Capitals are 25-13-3 on the road.
With 288 goals, the Capitals were the second-highest scorers in the whole of the NHL in the regular season. Only the Lightning scored more with 294.
Friday’s match will be the sixth time the two teams have met this season. The Capitals have won the two playoff matches. Washington also won two of the three regular-season matches.
Now, let’s see what chance the best online NHL betting sites are giving Montreal of getting back into the series with a win.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Washington Capitals Betting
Despite being on the road, the best NHL betting sites favor a win for the Washington Capitals, although, it is tight.
The Capitals are -125 to win on the money line, with the Montreal Canadiens the outsiders at +105.
Montreal is receiving the 1.5-point start on the puck line. To win with the handicap start, the Canadiens are -250. The Capitals are +210 to win by two points or more and cover the spread.
The total points spread is set at 5.5 goals for this clash. Over 5.5 is the betting favorite at -125, with under at +105.
We have plenty more Montreal Canadiens vs. Washington Capitals wagering options from the best NHL betting online sites, below. You can also learn about betting on the NHL on our How to Bet on the NHL Playoffs Online page.
| Canadiens vs. Capitals |  |  |  |
| Canadiens | +105 | +105 | +105 |
| Capitals | -125 | -125 | -125 |
| Canadiens (+1.5) | -250 | -250 | -250 |
| Capitals (-1.5) | +210 | +210 | +210 |
| Over 5.5 | -125 | -125 | -125 |
| Under 5.5 | +105 | +105 | +105 |
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens have a 5-2-3 record in their last ten matches. Montreal has averaged 2.5 goals per game and conceded two goals per game.
They finished the regular season on a high with a 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. The win was enough to clinch a place in the playoffs for the Canadiens.
Sadly for Montreal, they couldn’t take that winning form into the postseason and they are already in must-win territory as they approach match three of the series.
Martin St. Louis’ team is +6600 to win the Eastern Conference. Only the Devils have longer odds at +8000.
The Canadiens are also second-last in the betting to win the Stanley Cup at +12500.
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are 5-5-0 in their last ten matches. Spencer Carbery’s team has scored an average of 2.3 goals per game and conceded 3.6.
With a huge lead at the top of the Metropolitan Division, the Capitals eased off the gas towards the end of the regular season.
Despite finishing the season with three defeats in their last four matches, the Capitals have had no problem finding their form again when required in the postseason.
The Capitals were pushed to overtime in their opening match against the Canadiens, eventually winning 3-2 in overtime.
Alex Ovechkin scored his second goal of the game at 2:26 of overtime to give Washington the lead after Montreal had fought back from 2-0 down in the third period.
The second match of the series on Wednesday was more straightforward.
After going behind early in the second period, the Capitals stormed back to win the fixture 3-1. Connor McMichael scored a brace in the win.
The Capitals are +400 fourth favorites to win the Eastern Conference and joint-fifth favorites to win the Stanley Cup at +800.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Washington Capitals Betting Picks and Predictions
First up, we take a look at the total points line.
With the Canadiens needing a win to avoid going 3-0 down in the best-of-seven series, we expect to see the home side open the match on the front foot.
Despite not being the biggest scorers or conceders of goals in the NHL, Montreal’s approach should hopefully lead to a more open match.
We expect goals at both ends of the rink and see why over 5.5 has been backed into -125.
We are just about happy enough to take the bet at those odds, but if it gets any shorter, then we would recommend giving it a miss.
Our first pick is for over 5.5 goals at -125.
Onto our match-winner pick and we are leaning towards the Capitals.
They have beaten the Canadiens four times already this season and it wouldn’t be a huge shock to see them win again.
Are we happy to back Washington on the money line at -125?
We think those are fair odds, but we will be a bit more adventurous and go for the better odds available on the puck line.
Our second pick is for the Washington Capitals to beat Montreal and cover at +210.
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