The first-round playoff encounter of the Stanley Cup between the Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens will take place on April 22 at the Capital One Arena. Washington vs. Montreal: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Washington Capitals
Spencer Carbery's team finished first in the Eastern Conference at the end of the regular season, accumulating 111 points. In their conference, Washington scored 288 goals, second only to Tampa Bay's 294. Notably, the club suffered only 22 regular-time losses in the championship, the best result in the league (matched only by Winnipeg and Vegas).
The most productive player for Washington was Dylan Strome, who earned 82 points (29 goals, 53 assists). We must also highlight Alexander Ovechkin, who broke Wayne Gretzky's record for goals in the regular season. The Russian scored a total of 44 goals in 65 games, finishing third in the league's goal-scoring race.
Last season, Washington's journey in the Stanley Cup ended in the first round, being swept by the Rangers. It's worth noting that the club is participating in the playoffs for the ninth time in the last ten years. In 2018, the team won the league's main trophy, but since then, they haven't reached the finals.
- Washington has scored at least three goals in regular time in 5 of their last 7 NHL home meetings.
- The club has won 8 of their last 10 home games in the league (2 via shootouts).
- At least five goals were scored in regular time in Washington's last ten NHL matches.
Montreal Canadiens
Martin St. Louis' team entered the playoffs from the last spot in the Eastern Conference. By the end of the regular season, the team had accumulated 91 points. Among the top-8 conference clubs, Montreal has the lowest reliability, conceding 265 goals. The team's attack is also unimpressive; among the Eastern Conference's top eight, Montreal (245) surpassed only Ottawa (243) and New Jersey (242). The most productive player for the club was Nick Suzuki, who earned a total of 89 points (30 goals, 59 assists).
Montreal is participating in the Stanley Cup for the first time in four years. In the 2020/21 season, the club reached the finals but lost to Tampa Bay in five games.
- Montreal has scored at least two goals in regular time in 7 of their last 8 NHL meetings at Washington's venue.
- The club has lost 7 of their last 9 away games in the league (3 in overtime).
- No more than six goals were scored over three periods in 10 of Montreal's last 11 NHL matches.
Washington vs. Montreal: Match Prediction
Washington's performance this season is impressive, with their attack deserving special praise. Alexander Ovechkin's influence is undeniable, but even without him, the club's offense has been stable. Their defense is exemplary as well. In my opinion, Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren form one of the most convincing goalie tandems in the league. All this makes Washington the clear favorite for the series, and it's no surprise they start the playoffs as the Eastern Conference winners.
Montreal, of course, falls short against such a powerful opponent. Their attack is unimpressive, and their defense is statistically weak. It's hard to see how the club can compete with Washington, even though they looked decent towards the end of the regular season.
I think if Montreal starts to resist, it won't be at the series' start, so Washington is unlikely to disappoint at home. The club has won in regular time in 4 of their last 6 NHL home meetings against Montreal, and in the concluded championship, they never lost to Montreal over three periods (2 wins, 1 draw).
My prediction: Washington Capitals to Win
