Montreal Canadiens vs
Washington CapitalsPredictions & Preview

Capitals Favored to Win Game 2 Against Canadiens After Overtime Victory in Opener

The Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens will face off in Game 2 of their playoff series on Wednesday night. After a tight Game 1 that ended in an overtime win for Washington, the Capitals are favored to win Game 2. The current betting line is Washington -187. Canadiens will look to even the series while the Capitals aim to extend their lead. It promises to be an intense rematch on the ice.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Canadiens +163 | Capitals -187
• Spread: Canadiens +1.5 (-160) | Capitals -1.5 (+137)
• Total: Over/Under 5.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Washington will win straight-up is 65%.

Montreal vs Washington Stats

Montreal Canadiens

Montreal rallied from a two-goal deficit in the opener but ultimately fell in overtime, putting them down 1-0 in the series heading into the next game. The Canadiens need to improve their puck luck, play with more grit, and capitalize on special teams opportunities if they hope to even the series before returning home. Although they showed desperation in the late stages of Game 1, they need to maintain that level of intensity from the start. Despite outshooting Washington in the third period and tying the game, Montreal fell short in overtime, with Samuel Montembeault making 29 saves in the loss. Montreal is ranked 17th in offense, 23rd in defense, and has a 40-31-12 record for the season, with Montembeault expected to start in goal for the upcoming contest.

Washington Capitals Analysis

In a closely contested game, the Washington Capitals managed to secure a victory in overtime against Montreal. Despite holding a two-goal lead in the third period, the Capitals saw their advantage disappear and were forced into extra time. However, Washington regrouped and rallied to score the winning goal, with Alex Ovechkin delivering a standout performance with two goals. The Capitals had a strong showing in the first two periods, but struggled in the third period before ultimately prevailing in overtime. With a power ranking of 6 and a strong offense, Washington will look to build on this victory and potentially take a 2-0 series advantage. Logan Thompson had a standout performance in goal for the Capitals, making 33 saves. Looking ahead, Washington will need to maintain their strong offensive play and tighten up their defense in order to continue their success in the playoffs.

Montreal Canadiens Fall Short Despite Impressive Comeback Efforts In Playoff Matchup Against Washington

Despite Montreal's impressive comeback in the final 10 minutes of Monday night's game, the team ultimately fell short, highlighting the lack of a moral victory column in professional sports. While it is commendable that the Canadiens fought back, it is crucial to acknowledge that moral victories do not contribute to the four wins necessary for advancement. Concerns arise as the team faces a lack of playoff experience and the pressures of performing on the road in high-stakes situations. In contrast, Washington boasts a strong home record and recent Stanley Cup success, making them formidable opponents for Montreal. With the pressure mounting in the postseason, it is likely that Washington will capitalize on their home advantage and secure a victory in this matchup.

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