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Canadiens vs Capitals NHL Picks and Predictions
- Expert recommends the Over 6.5 goals for Canadiens at Capitals based on tired teams and backup goalies.
- Cole Caufield is tipped to record over 4.5 shots on goal due to his recent shooting streak.
- Four of Montreal’s six games have gone over 6.5 goals and both teams allow high shot totals.
By Ryan Tucker • Sports Editor & Betting Analyst
Sports Tipster & Betting Model Expert
Fact Checked by: Jeremy Darke•Updated:
Canadiens vs Capitals
Canadiens at Capitals Expert Predictions & Picks
I'm taking the Over 6.5 goals when Montreal visits Washington on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 7:30 p.m. ET. I'm adding Cole Caufield over 4.5 shots on goal at a big plus price.
Both teams are on the second night of a back-to-back, and both are expected to go to their other goalie. For Montreal that's Dobes, who has allowed 13 goals on 91 shots this season. Tired legs plus a shaky goalie is how 4-3 games turn into 5-4 games.
Caufield is the tasty one. He has 17 shots in his last 3 games, and Washington gives up more shots than either of these teams can afford.
Key Stats
- .857 save percentage for Dobes across 3 starts
- 4 of 6 Montreal games have gone over 6.5 goals
- 29.5 shots allowed per game by Washington, and 35 to Carolina on Tuesday
- 6, 6 and 5 shots on goal for Caufield in his last 3 games
Head to Head
Washington won 2 of 3 meetings last season, and 2 of the 3 went over 6.5. The Capitals won 8-4 in Montreal and 3-2 in overtime at home, and Montreal won 6-2. Wednesday is the first of three meetings this season.
Montreal Canadiens Form
Montreal is 3-2-1, scoring 3.17 goals per game and allowing 3.67. The Canadiens beat Buffalo 4-3 in a shootout Tuesday, outshooting the Sabres 38-17.
Caufield is averaging 4.0 shots per game and plays about 4 minutes a night on the power play. He's also on a heater, with 2 points Tuesday. Montreal has given up 5 or more goals three times already. The defense isn't keeping Wednesday's score down.
Washington Capitals Form
Washington is 3-3, scoring 3.17 goals per game and allowing 3.0. The Capitals have been outshot in 4 of 6 games, by 29.5 to 26.7 on average. That's a lot of rubber for Lindgren in his second start of the season.
Boone Jenner has goals in 3 straight games, and Ryan Leonard has a 4-game point streak. Alex Tuch and Pierre-Luc Dubois are day-to-day, and Rasmus Sandin and Matt Roy are out. That thins the blue line in front of a backup goalie.
Verdict
Two tired teams, two backup-level goalies and two defenses that give up shots. Give me the Over. And give me Caufield shooting from every angle he can find. If he's hit 5+ in 3 straight, I'm not getting off him at this price.
Ryan Tucker
Sports Editor & Betting Analyst • Sports Tipster & Betting Model Expert
Ryan is a sports content writer and editor, producing insights and analysis for major sports including NFL, NHL, NBA and more.
Born in Australia, multiple trips to North America deepened his love for the four major US sports and a continuing dream to catch as much live action as possible.
Stats and data analysis has now outgrown the hobby tag and the countless models and simulations are now being put to good use writing previews and predictions for all major sporting events across basketball, ice hockey, baseball, football and Australian sports that are still close to his heart.