Capitals vs. Canadiens Prediction & Picks - NHL Playoffs First Round Game 1

The opening game of the NHL Playoffs First Round on Monday will see the Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens square off, starting at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. Bookmakers favor the Capitals in this matchup, assigning them -192 moneyline odds against the Canadiens (+160).

Watch the NHL, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up.

Before this matchup, here's who we predict to secure the win in Monday's NHL Playoffs First Round action.

Capitals vs. Canadiens Predictions for Monday

Our computer projections model for this contest predicts a final score of Capitals 4, Canadiens 2.

• Moneyline Pick: Capitals (-192)
• Total Pick: Over 6 (computer predicts 6.3 goals on average)
• Spread Pick: Capitals (-1.5)

Catch NHL action all year long on Fubo.

Capitals Splits and Trends

• The Capitals (51-22-9 overall) have an 8-9-17 record in contests that have required overtime.
• Washington has 34 points (14-4-6) in the 24 games it has played that were decided by one goal.
• Looking at the 11 times this season the Capitals finished a game with only one goal, they have a 1-9-1 record, good for three points.
• Washington has scored a pair of goals in 12 games this season (2-8-2 record, six points).
• The Capitals are 48-2-6 in the 56 games when they have scored three or more goals (to register 102 points).
• In the 31 games when Washington has recorded a single power-play goal, it picked up 41 points after finishing 19-9-3.
• In the 45 games when it outshot its opponent, Washington is 30-11-4 (64 points).
• The Capitals have been outshot by opponents in 35 games, going 20-10-5 to record 45 points.

Canadiens Splits and Trends

• The Canadiens have a record of 40-31-11 this season and are 10-11-21 in overtime matchups.
• In the 27 games Montreal has played that were decided by one goal, it racked up 39 points.
• In nine games this season when the Canadiens finished a game with only one goal, they earned a total of five points (2-6-1).
• Montreal has earned nine points (3-10-3 record) this season when scoring a pair of goals .
• The Canadiens have scored at least three goals 52 times, earning 76 points from those matchups (35-11-6).
• This season, Montreal has capitalized on a single power-play goal in 32 games and registered 38 points with a record of 16-10-6.
• When outshooting its opponent this season, Montreal is 17-10-1 (35 points).
• The Canadiens have been outshot by opponents 51 times this season, and earned 54 points in those games.

Looking for NHL tickets? Head to StubHub today and see your team live.

Team Stats Comparison

Capitals vs. Canadiens Game Time and TV Channel

• When: Monday, April 21, 2025 at 7 p.m. ET
• TV Channel: ESPN
• Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
• Where: Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.

Sign up for Fubo to watch the Capitals take on Canadiens.