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Washington Capitals vs Montreal Canadiens Game Preview
The Washington Capitals head to the Bell Centre to face the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, February 28, 2026, with puck drop set for 7:00 PM ET on ESPN+. Washington is 31-23-7 and trying to climb into the wild-card picture, while Montreal is 32-18-9 and holding a more comfortable spot, but still treating every night like it’s a must because the East is tight and points disappear fast.
Washington comes in feeling good after a 3-2 win over Vegas where Pierre-Luc Dubois looked like he never missed time. Montreal has points in six straight (4-0-2), but the last one stung. They were in control against the Islanders and still let it slip late before losing in overtime. That’s not a disaster, but it’s the kind of game you remember when you’re facing a team you can’t afford to give freebies to.
This is also a season-series angle. Washington has already beaten Montreal twice, including an 8-4 win at the Bell Centre earlier in the year. That matters because it tells you the Caps aren’t intimidated by this building, even if Montreal has been the steadier team overall.
Washington Capitals vs Montreal Canadiens Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor updated prices and shop numbers throughout the day using the latest NHL odds.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Capitals | +132 | Not provided | Not provided |
| Montreal Canadiens | -156 | Not provided | Not provided |
Washington Capitals Betting Form
Washington’s form has been uneven for a while, but the last game was the type of win that can change the tone quickly. Dubois has three goals and two assists in three games since returning, and that matters because it adds another line-driving presence behind the headline names. When Washington has multiple threats, they’re much harder to defend against in a playoff-style game where matchups tighten.
The problem is still special teams. The Caps went 0-for-5 on the power play against Vegas, and they’ve been cold there recently. That’s important in a game like this because Montreal can generate on the man advantage, and in tight matchups you usually need one special teams goal to win. If Washington can’t get that, they have to be sharper at five-on-five and more efficient with the looks they do get.
Washington is also dealing with key absences on the back end. John Carlson being out affects puck movement and transition, and it can show up most on breakouts under pressure at the Bell Centre. For recent results and trends, the Washington Capitals stats and results page is the quick check. Availability matters here, so monitor the Washington Capitals injury report before puck drop.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Form
Montreal’s surge has been real, and the part I keep coming back to is how well they’ve handled game state. Even when the offense isn’t flowing, they’ve been finding points, and they’ve been physical enough to make opponents work for every clean look. The Islanders game was frustrating because they didn’t close it, but it also showed Montreal can build leads and control stretches against a team that’s good in these exact types of spots.
Montreal’s power play feels like the cleanest edge in this matchup. They’ve been converting, and they create enough movement to force breakdowns. Against a Washington team that’s been cold with the man advantage, that can be the separator. The Canadiens’ defensive buy-in also matters. They block a lot of shots and they don’t mind ugly minutes if it means keeping the puck out of the middle.
Patrik Laine being out is still something to account for because it takes away one finishing option, but Montreal has enough depth that it hasn’t derailed them. For home splits and game logs, the Montreal Canadiens schedule and stats page helps. And because late lineup tweaks always matter, monitor the Montreal Canadiens injury report before betting.
Washington Capitals vs Montreal Canadiens Matchup Breakdown
This game feels like it will swing on special teams and how clean Washington’s exits are. Montreal at home will pressure the puck, and if Washington is missing key puck movers, it can lead to long defensive-zone shifts and penalties. That’s exactly what the Canadiens want. Washington’s best path is playing simple, getting pucks behind Montreal’s defense, and letting their forecheck do the work instead of trying to be too cute through the middle.
At five-on-five, Washington can absolutely score. Dubois has been flying since returning, and Ovechkin is still dangerous any time the puck touches his stick in the left circle. But if the Caps are relying on the power play to carry offense and it stays cold, they’re going to need a higher conversion rate on their limited even-strength chances.
The total and puck line weren’t provided in your inputs, but the game script still points in a clear direction. If Montreal’s power play continues to produce, it supports a higher-scoring environment. If Washington keeps the game five-on-five and both goalies are sharp, it can land in a tight 3-2 type range again.
If you want a sharper way to translate these special teams and game-state edges into bets, the NHL betting guide is useful. And if you’re thinking broader about playoff-position pricing and how teams get taxed as they climb, the Stanley Cup betting guide adds helpful context.
Washington Capitals vs Montreal Canadiens Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is Montreal on the moneyline at -156. It’s not a cheap number, but it matches the spot. Montreal has been the steadier team, they have the home-ice advantage, and their power play feels like the most reliable edge between the two right now. Washington can win this game, but I think they need either a power-play breakthrough or a big finishing night at five-on-five, and I’m not paying to bet on that when Montreal is playing with this level of structure.
If you’re looking for the Washington side, it’s the plus-money moneyline or nothing. Without a puck line price, it’s hard to talk about safer alternatives, but in general, Washington plays a lot of tight games, so a one-goal outcome is very live either way. For me, the bet is simply whether Montreal continues to be the more composed team in the key moments.
Best Bet: Montreal Canadiens moneyline (-156).
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NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you’re betting NHL nightly, this is the type of game where timing matters. Goalies, special teams roles, and late scratches can swing a price quickly, so checking today’s NHL picks is a good way to compare multiple opinions before you lock anything in.
ScoresAndStats keeps everything transparent. You can compare different styles on the top sports handicappers, validate long-term performance on the handicapper leaderboard, and if you want more volume beyond the free board, you can buy expert picks and keep your slate organized. For more daily matchup breakdowns in this exact format, the NHL previews hub is the clean way to stay on top of the slate.
