The Montreal Canadiens (30-42-6) and their suffocating penalty killing defense welcome the Washington Capitals (34-34-9), one of the league’s weakest power play offenses, at Bell Centre on Thursday. Washington is coming off a 5-2 loss against the Rangers on Sunday, their fourth defeat in a row.
The Capitals committed eight penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas each scored once for the Capitals. John Carlson had two assists to lead the team in scoring.
Darcy Kuemper only had 29 saves on 34 shots against (.852%) in the loss. Montreal is wrapping up a four-game homestand after a 5-0 loss against the Red Wings on Tuesday, their fourth straight defeat. Cayden Primeau only had 16 saves on 21 shots against (.761%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Capitals have won both games between the teams this season, including a 9-2 victory in their most recent meeting in December, their fifth straight win against Montreal. Four players had three points for Washington. Cole Caufield led Montreal with two goals. Charlie Lindgren got the win, saving 31 of 33 shots (.939%).
FACING OFF
Washington is averaging 3.09 goals per game for the season, 20th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Canadiens team that is allowing 3.68 goals a game (28th).
Meanwhile, Montreal has found the net 2.74 times a game on average, 26th in the league, and the Capitals are allowing opponents to score 3.10 goals per game (16th).nMontreal averages fewer shots/game (27.3) than most teams in the league, ranking 30th.
With an average of 31.4 attempts, Washington ranks 17th. The Canadiens’ 28th-ranked power play offense (16.89%) will face a tough test against the Capitals, who are the league’s fifth-best penalty killing team (82.55%). Washington, meanwhile, has scored on 21.37% of their power play opportunities (14th), which the visitors will be aiming to add to against Montreal’s 30th-ranked 73.12% penalty killing rate.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 73 points this season, Alex Ovechkin is the top skater for the Capitals. He is among the league leaders with 42 goals (8th) and has added 31 assists. In the net, Kuemper (21-25-6) is Washington’s top goaltender by goals against average.
He has a 2.79 GAA and a .910% save percentage. Nick Suzuki leads the Canadiens in scoring with 61 points. He has 23 goals and 38 assists. Sam Montembeault (15-16-3) has the best goals against average for Montreal at 3.29. He has a save percentage of .906%. Jake Allen (15-24-3) has played the most games in net for the Canadiens this season. He has a 3.55 GAA and a .891% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Washington is looking to avoid a fifth successive loss on the road this season. Montreal is looking to end a three-game losing run at Bell Centre this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Washington Capitals (-175)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
