Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals Prediction, 4/21/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals

Date: Monday, April 21, 2025

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

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Canadiens (+125) Capitals (-145)

Capital One Arena is the location where the Washington Capitals (51-22-9) will try to defeat the Montreal Canadiens (40-31-11) on Monday in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. The moneyline on this contest has the Canadiens at +125 and the Capitals are priced at -145. The betting total comes in at 6.5.

The Montreal Canadiens were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 4-2 victory against the Hurricanes in the last game they played. The Canadiens had a good offensive outing and it showed in the win. For the game, they tallied a score on 4 of the 21 shots they tried. In addition, they had 3 power play chances but didn't net one. Montreal garnered 2 penalty minutes in this matchup.

Get all of our NHL Expert Picks

When talking about their scoring capabilities, the Montreal Canadiens have racked up 243 goals (17th in hockey) on the season and have allowed 261. For the year, the have a total of 91 points and their points % is .555. Montreal has accounted for 234 power play chances and they have scored 47 goals out of those tries, earning them a percentage of 20.09%. At even strength, the Canadiens have allowed the opponent to score 212 goals while having 196 on offense. Montreal has tried 2,095 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 11.6%. The Canadiens have had 2,383 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .890. Montreal Canadiens opponents have recorded 257 power play opportunities (1st in hockey) and have tallied 49 goals in those chances.

The player in the crease for this game is Sam Montembeault. For his professional hockey career, Montembeault has compiled 100 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .532. His save percentage currently is .899 in his 8,144 mins played. Montembeault has had 6,093 shot attempts against him and has recorded 5,476 saves. The opposition has racked up 617 goals versus Montembeault in his pro career and his average for goals against per game is 4.55. He has a record of 80-84-28 and he has gotten the start in 188 games. Montembeault has taken the ice for 206 contests over the course of his pro hockey career.

In their last contest, Washington faced off against the Penguins in a game where the Capitals ended up taking the loss by a tally of 5-2. The Capitals recorded 2 goals of the 20 shots on goal they attempted. They had 2 opportunities on the power play in this one and tallied 1 out of those opportunities.

Washington has put up 2,265 shots (22nd in professional hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 12.63%, while allowing their opponents 2,229 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 82.01% on their opponents 239 power play tries, and their save percentage is currently 89.7%. They have earned 221 chances on the power play and they have earned a power play percentage of 23.53%. The Capitals are sitting with 234 goals at even strength and 52 goals (13th in the NHL) while on the power play. They have allowed 229 goals to be scored by of a combination of 186 goals at even strength and 43 goals while they were shorthanded. On the campaign, the Washington Capitals have 286 goals, 111 points, and a points percentage of .677.

Across the ice you will find Charlie Lindgren defending the goal. Lindgren has compiled a career record of 73-53-15 and has played in 149 contests. Lindgren's percentage of quality starts is 55.0% and he has earned 77 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. He has compiled 3,764 stops out of 4,158 shots taken, giving him a rate of .905. His opponents are averaging 3.74 goals per contest and he has given up 394 goals in total. He has started in 140 contests and has played 6,326 mins.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Montreal (+125)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here