The Washington Capitals (1-0) will host the Montreal Canadiens (0-1) in Sport 2 of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs first spherical on Wednesday. The Habs rallied for 2 third-period targets on Monday evening to ship Sport 1 into time beyond regulation, however Alex Ovechkin sealed the deal for Washington with a purpose proper in entrance of the crease. The Caps additionally took two out of three towards the Canadiens through the common season.
Puck drop from Capital One Area in Washington D.C. is ready for 7 p.m. ET. Washington is a -183 favourite on the cash line (threat $183 to win $100) within the newest Capitals vs. Canadiens odds, whereas Montreal is the +153 underdog (threat $100 to win $153). The over/beneath for complete targets scored is 5.5, and the Capitals are additionally -1.5 (+142) on the puck line. Earlier than making any Canadiens vs. Capitals picks, remember to see the NHL predictions from SportsLine’s confirmed mannequin.
The SportsLine Projection Mannequin simulates each NHL recreation 10,000 occasions. It enters the primary full week of the 2025 NHL playoffs a mixed 78-54 on top-rated NHL puck line and over/beneath betting picks, returning almost $1,600 for $100 gamers. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps might have seen robust returns.
Now, listed here are three greatest bets for Capitals vs. Canadiens on Wednesday:
Canadiens +1.5 on the puck line (-172)
Montreal has seven gamers on its roster who’re making their NHL playoffs debut, however the lack of expertise did not preserve Martin St. Louis’ males from rallying late towards an skilled Capitals crew. The Habs have now held the Caps to a one-goal benefit in back-to-back conferences, which may very well be why the SportsLine mannequin has them protecting the puck line in 60% of simulations.
You’ve got seen among the finest bets for Canadiens vs. Capitals on Wednesday. Now, get picks for each recreation from the mannequin that ended the season going a mixed 77-53 on over/beneath and puck-line picks.
Alex Ovechkin anytime goalscorer (+115)
The Nice 8 has scored 9 targets in 9 video games by way of the month of April, together with the game-opener and game-winner on Monday night. He has three targets in three video games total towards Montreal this season, bringing his profession playoff purpose complete to 74 in 152 postseason tilts. Ovechkin is listed at +115 at DraftKings Sportsbook to attain at anytime in Sport 2.
Need extra NHL picks for Wednesday? Matt Severance is SportsLine’s No. 1 NHL skilled, getting into the NHL playoffs on a 120-62 roll on NHL sides picks, returning $2,490 for $100 gamers. See his greatest wager for this matchup at SportsLine.
Cole Caufield 1+ factors (-128)
The Wisconsin native has registered a minimum of one level in eight of 10 video games within the month of April. He was additionally answerable for Montreal’s third-period rally on Monday, when Patrik Laine set him up for a wrist shot to get the Habs on the scoreboard. Caufield is listed at -128 at FanDuel Sportsbook to tally a minimum of one level in Sport 2 on Wednesday.
