Washington Capitals vs Montreal Canadiens Game 3 Prediction, Pick & Odds (Apr. 25)

• Bell Centre will be ringing for Game 3 of the first-round series between the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals.

• The Caps lead the series 2-0 and are favored by 1.5 goals with the total at 5.5 Friday night.

• I have your full preview on Game 3 between the Caps and Habs, including a prediction, pick and guide to the best odds.

Playoff hockey is back at Bell Centre when the Washington Capitals (47-37 ATS) face Montreal (48-36) in Game 3 of their first-round series.

It will be the first full crowd for playoff hockey in Montreal since 2017, and the atmosphere is going to be electric. The Capitals held off the Canadiens in Game 1 and Game 2. Teams that start playoff series 2-0 at home are 266-34 all-time to win the series.

I’m ready to sing both anthems Friday night and give you the best odds, prediction and pick for Game 3.

Capitals vs Canadiens Prediction

I’m predicting the Canadiens break down the door tonight. Montreal went 23-12-6 at home in the regular season and has outplayed the Capitals – at times – in this series. I don’t know that the Habs can win the series, but I believe they will win tonight.

Capitals goalie Logan Thompson saved his team in Game 2 when the Montreal offense started flying. The Caps got a lucky bounce on their first goal after trailing 1-0 and the only reason the score was 3-1 was because of an empty netter with two seconds left.

Montreal goalie Sam Montembeault has been overshadowed by Thompson, but he’s played very well in both games, including 29 saves in Game 2. Habs sniper Cole Caufield was -2 in Game 2 with only three shots. He’s due for a big night.

Capitals vs Canadiens Pick

• Canadiens +1.5 (-250 at Caesars)

• Over 5.5 (-120 at Caesars)

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So much is made of the home ice advantage, but it’s legit. The Caps have an all-time record of 41-46-8 in Montreal. Since the barn opened in 1996, games at Bell Centre have averaged 6.1 goals, and the average winning margin is 2.6.

I am picking the Canadiens tonight because they’ll get a huge boost from the home crowd, and I believe Thompson will crack a bit under the pressure. Washington is still the better team, but I can’t go against Montreal, who I expect to score early and put the Caps on their heels. I also like the over, because both teams are due to score some goals.

Capitals vs Canadiens Odds

Odds from Caesars as of Friday morning. Lock in on the NBA and NHL playoffs with our best Caesars promo code.

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CLAIM OFFER

The Caps have won five of the last six meetings, but they’ve all been close. The last three games have all hit the under, and this has not been a high-scoring series so far. In fact, Montreal only has 21 goals in its last nine games.

Washington is set as 1.5-goal favorite across the board, and the total is 5.5. The moneyline odds for both teams are also consistent everywhere I’ve looked. Montreal is at +100 and Washington at -120. Those numbers probably won’t change before puck drop.

Montreal has won its last nine home games against teams in the East. If you’re looking for a special bet, the home team has won the first period in three of the last four match-ups, and Juraj Slafkovsky has at least a point in 10 of the Habs’ last 13 games at Bell Centre.