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Canadiens vs Capitals Picks and Predictions – Tuesday January 13, 2026
Montreal gets another chance to keep its surge going, but the spot is not friendly. The Canadiens are on the second night of a back-to-back after a high-event 6-3 win over Vancouver on Monday, and now they walk into a Capitals team that’s frustrated and looking for a steadier 60 minutes.
Washington’s problem lately has not been effort. It’s been consistency and finishing games. They’ll show you a good first period, then lose the thread for 10 minutes and spend the rest of the night chasing. Montreal is trending the other way, finding offense in waves and getting points even when the game gets messy.
This matchup also comes with real volatility in net. Montreal’s starter isn’t confirmed, and Washington can choose between two goalies who’ve both had strong stretches. If you’re betting early, you’re betting into that uncertainty.
Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should keep monitoring updated NHL odds for any late movement tied to goalie confirmation and lineup availability.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montreal Canadiens | +138 | +1.5 (-184) | 6.0 (O -116 / U -106) |
| Washington Capitals | -166 | -1.5 (+148) | 6.0 (O -116 / U -106) |
Montreal Canadiens Betting Form
Montreal’s offense is traveling right now, and it’s not just one line carrying it. They’re scoring in clusters, they’re getting timely finishing from their skill, and they’ve shown they can break a tie game quickly when the opponent’s legs or structure slip. That’s a real edge in tight betting markets because it gives them comeback equity and live-dog value.
The concern is the schedule. Back-to-backs tend to hit transition defense first, and Montreal can be exposed when they lose the second layer through the neutral zone. If the Canadiens are a half-step late on back pressure, Washington will generate more off the rush than they usually do, and that’s where totals start to climb.
For matchup trends and recent results, check Montreal Canadiens stats and results, and confirm availability with the linked Montreal Canadiens injury report before you lock in a side or a total.
Washington Capitals Betting Form
Washington has been living in a frustrating middle ground. They’re rarely getting run out of the building, but they’re not stringing wins together either. When they lose, it often looks the same: a decent start, then a stretch where their puck management slips and they give up two or three goals in a hurry. That kind of profile is hard to trust as a favorite in the -160 range.
The encouraging piece for Washington is that the top-end finishing is still there, and they’ve shown they can score quickly when teams take penalties or lose coverage around the slot. The bigger issue is the second and third lines creating enough sustained pressure so the Capitals are not forced to win every game in a narrow script.
If you want to track their home splits and recent performance, use Washington Capitals schedule and stats, and monitor the linked Washington Capitals injury report since Washington’s lineup health has been a real part of the inconsistency.
Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals Matchup Breakdown
At five-on-five, the key question is who controls the middle. Montreal is playing with confidence and pace, but the back-to-back can soften their ability to track through the neutral zone. Washington has to make that matter by playing a straight-line game, getting pucks deep, and forcing Montreal’s defense to turn and defend longer shifts. If the Capitals settle for perimeter possession, Montreal’s speed can still create counters.
Special teams is a major swing because it directly impacts both side and total. Montreal has been scoring, but Washington’s clearest path to turning this into a more comfortable win is winning the power-play battle and forcing Montreal to defend tired. If the game stays mostly five-on-five, the Canadiens’ plus-money moneyline becomes more appealing.
Goaltending is also a real variable. Montreal has options and Washington can go either direction as well. If one team starts its top option and the other doesn’t, you can see the total move and you can see the puck line pricing tighten. If you’re waiting for confirmation, that’s the cleanest timing edge you’ll get in this matchup.
If you want a quick refresher on how to think about totals, puck lines, and game-state swings in spots like this, the NHL betting guide is a useful framework without overcomplicating the handicap.
Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals Predictions and Best Bets
I get why Washington is favored at home, but I don’t love paying this price for a team that hasn’t shown the ability to stack wins and close cleanly. Montreal is playing better hockey overall, and even in a back-to-back spot, their offense gives them the ability to steal a game if Washington has another loose ten-minute stretch.
That said, the most stable angle here is not picking a winner. It’s the goal environment. Montreal is scoring, Washington can score, and both teams have enough volatility in their recent game scripts that a 2-1 type of game is not the most likely outcome if either side gets an early power play or a quick-strike transition goal.
I also don’t want Washington’s -1.5. If they win, this profiles more like a one-goal game that’s decided late, and the Canadiens’ +1.5 is priced heavily for a reason. If you want to bet Washington, the moneyline is the cleaner approach. If you want to bet Montreal, I’d rather take the plus-money moneyline than pay juice for +1.5.
Best Bet: Over 6.0 (-116)
NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you’re betting multiple games, the NHL picks page is the fastest way to compare sides and totals across the slate without getting trapped in one-game narratives.
If you prefer tracking who is actually beating the market, the best handicappers hub and the live handicapper leaderboard keep the focus on performance. For premium packages and full cards, you can access options through buy picks, and if you’re scanning more matchups, the NHL previews hub is the cleanest way to move around the board. For futures and playoff-style betting concepts that translate to tighter regular-season matchups, the Stanley Cup betting guide is a strong complement.
