Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals Prediction, 12/31/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals

Date: Saturday, December 31, 2022

Location: Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

TV: NBC Sports Washington

Odds/Point Spread: Canadiens (+260) Capitals (-333)

The Montreal Canadiens (15-18-3) are traveling to Capital One Arena on Saturday where they will take on the Washington Capitals (20-13-5). The odds on this game have Montreal at +260 while Washington is priced at -333. The betting total comes in at 6.

The Montreal Canadiens will look for better times on the ice after their 7-2 defeat to the Panthers in the last game they played. The Canadiens had a below average offensive performance in this defeat. While out there on the ice, they netted 2 of the 27 shots they tried. Additionally, they had 4 power play tries and netted 2 goals. Montreal accrued 41 mins in the box in this contest.

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Regarding scoring goals, the Montreal Canadiens have racked up 94 goals (27th in the NHL) on the campaign and have conceded 129. For the year, they have 33 points and their points percentage is sitting at .458. Montreal has accounted for 114 power play chances and they have notched 17 goals out of those tries, giving them a rate of 14.91%. When at even strength, the Canadiens have allowed 97 goals while notching 77 of their own. Montreal has tried 1,016 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 9.3%. The Canadiens so far have had 1,206 shots attempted against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .893. Montreal Canadiens opponents have totaled 130 power play opportunities (7th in professional hockey) and have a total of 32 goals in those attempts.

The player in the crease for this game is Jake Allen. The opposition has scored 934 goals versus Allen in his pro hockey career and his average for goals against per game is 2.64. Allen has been involved in 377 games during his pro hockey career. His save percentage is at .910 in his 21,197 mins guarding the cage. He has compiled a win-loss record of 177-140-36 and he has gotten the start in 357 games. During his career on the ice, Allen has recorded 189 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is at .529. Allen has seen 10,411 shot attempts taken against him and has accrued 9,477 saves.

In their last contest, Washington faced off against the Senators in a matchup where the Capitals took a loss by a final of 4-3. The Capitals converted 3 goals of the 23 shots on goal they attempted. They had 1 power play opportunity in this game but weren't able to score a goal.

For the season, the Washington Capitals are sitting with 118 goals, 45 points, and a points percentage of .592. They have granted a total of 104 goals to be scored by of a combination of 84 goals at even strength and 20 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Capitals have racked up 92 goals at even strength and 26 goals (14th in professional hockey) while having a power play advantage. They have earned 124 power play chances and they have a power play percentage of 20.97%. Washington has attempted 1,191 shots (10th in professional hockey) and has a shot percentage of 9.91%, while allowing the other team 1,160 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 81.82% on their opponents 110 power play tries, and their save percentage comes in at 91.0%.

For the opposition you are likely to see Charlie Lindgren defending the goal. Teams are averaging 2.69 goals per game and he has relinquished 119 goals altogether. Lindgren's quality start rate sits at 60.5% and he has qualified for 26 quality starts in his NHL career. He has started in 43 games and has been on the ice for 2,655 minutes. Lindgren has amassed a career mark of 25-16-4 and has played in 46 games. He has recorded 1,250 stops out of 1,369 shots taken, giving him a save % of .913.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Montreal (+260)

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