Washington Capitals vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction, 4/16/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Washington Capitals vs Montreal Canadiens

Date: Saturday, April 16, 2022

Location: Bell Centre in Montreal, QC

TV: TSN

Odds/Point Spread: Capitals (-275) Canadiens (+225)

Bell Centre is the site where the Montreal Canadiens (20-43-11) will try to beat the Washington Capitals (41-23-10) on Saturday. The line on this matchup has Washington at -275 while Montreal is coming in at +225. The betting total is set at 6.

The Washington Capitals were on the wrong end of the scoreboard with a 7-3 defeat against the Maple Leafs in their previous contest. Washington earned 15 penalty mins for this matchup. The Capitals had a middle of the road offensive performance in this loss. They also had 4 chances with the advantage but weren't able to score a goal. In the matchup, they were able to notch a goal on 3 of the 25 shots they put on goal.

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The Capitals have had 2,156 shots attempted against them and have earned a save percentage of .899. When at even strength, the Capitals have allowed 179 goals while having 203 on offense. Washington Capitals opponents have tallied 207 power play opportunities (20th in the NHL) and have a total of 38 goals in those attempts. For the current campaign, they have tallied 92 points and their points % is .622. Washington has tried 2,319 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 10.7%. With respect to their goal scoring prowess, the Washington Capitals have accumulated 247 goals (9th in pro hockey) this year and have conceded 217. Washington skates onto the rink with 225 power play chances and they have added 44 goals out of those advantages, giving them a percentage of 19.56%.

The player in the crease for this game is Vitek Vanecek. Opponents have notched 186 goals versus Vanecek in his NHL career and his goals against rate is 2.66. Vanecek has played in 75 matchups throughout his hockey career. His save percentage sits at .909 for his 4,188 mins in the crease. He has earned a record of 39-21-9 and he has gotten the start in 71 games. Throughout his time in hockey, Vanecek has 35 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .493. Vanecek has seen 2,041 shot attempts taken against him and he has 1,855 saves.

In their last game, Montreal squared up with the Blue Jackets in an outing where the Canadiens took the loss by a score of 5-1. They had 4 power play attempts in this one and recorded 1 goal out of those attempts. The Canadiens notched 1 goal of the 21 shots on goal they tried.

So far this season, the Montreal Canadiens have notched a total of 190 goals, 51 points, in addition to a points percentage of .345. They have allowed 282 goals to be scored by way of 219 goals at even strength and 63 goals while they were shorthanded. The Canadiens are sitting with 159 goals at even strength and 31 goals (29th in the league) while on the power play. They have earned 228 opportunities on the power play and they have a power play rate of 13.60%. Montreal has put up 2,172 shots (27th in hockey) and has a shot percentage of 8.75%, while allowing their opponents 2,564 shots. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 74.70% on their oppositions 249 tries on the power play, and their save percentage is 89.0%.

Across the rink you will find Sam Montembeault defending the goal. Montembeault has earned a career record of 16-24-9 and has participated in 60 contests. Montembeault's rate of quality starts is 41.3% and he has 19 quality starts in his pro career. He is sitting with 1,477 saves out of the 1,653 shots taken against him, giving him a percentage of .894. Teams are averaging 3.46 goals/game and he has relinquished 176 goals overall. He has started in 46 games and has played for a total of 3,056 minutes.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Washington (-275)

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