Washington Capitals vs Montreal Canadiens Picks and Predictions October 31st 2024

Surging Capitals Look to Continue Momentum Against Struggling Canadiens

The Washington Capitals are entering Thursday’s matchup against the Montreal Canadiens with strong momentum, riding a hot streak that’s seen them win six of their last seven games. Meanwhile, the Canadiens are reeling from an 8-2 blowout loss to the Seattle Kraken, a defeat that marked their fifth loss in seven games.

Capitals’ Winning Formula: Ovechkin and Defensive Strength

Washington’s 5-3 victory over the New York Rangers on Tuesday underscored the recent effectiveness of their game plan. Alex Ovechkin was the catalyst, scoring twice in under two minutes to bring his career total to 857 goals, inching closer to Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record. Ovechkin, who has doubled his goal tally in just one game, seems to be gaining confidence with every shot.

“I thought he was fantastic tonight,” said Capitals coach Spencer Carbery of his star player. “He should be real confident after his performance tonight.”

Ovechkin’s linemates were equally instrumental, with Aliaksei Protas recording a goal and two assists and Dylan Strome contributing two assists. Ovechkin praised their synergy, emphasizing how crucial it is for them to play with rhythm and confidence.

Beyond scoring, Washington’s defense has been solid. They held the Rangers to just 19 shots, marking the second time this season they’ve kept an opponent under 20 shots. This defensive discipline has been key in controlling game tempo and reducing scoring opportunities for opponents.

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Canadiens Struggling to Find Consistency

In stark contrast, Montreal is grappling with a lack of stability on both ends of the ice. Their 8-2 loss to Seattle on Tuesday left fans at Bell Centre visibly disappointed, as the Canadiens quickly fell behind 4-0 within the first 10 minutes. Defensively, they struggled to keep up with Seattle’s aggressive pace, allowing too many high-quality scoring chances.

Montreal defenseman Mike Matheson voiced his frustration, saying, “I don’t want to let my emotions say something tomorrow I’ll regret.” Team captain Nick Suzuki, who saw his seven-game point streak end, was similarly disappointed, saying, “We were slow right from the start. We weren’t forechecking very well.”

One bright spot has been Cole Caufield, who scored in his third straight game against Seattle. He now has nine goals in his last 10 games, giving Montreal at least one offensive weapon to rely on as they attempt to right the ship.

Key Matchup Factors

• Capitals’ Firepower vs. Canadiens’ Defense: With Ovechkin heating up and the Capitals’ offense clicking, Montreal’s defense will need a rapid improvement to avoid another early deficit. Limiting Ovechkin’s chances on the power play will be essential for the Canadiens to stay competitive.
• Cole Caufield’s Streak: Caufield has been Montreal’s most consistent scorer, but he will face a Capitals defense that’s been successful in limiting shots. If Montreal is to challenge Washington, Caufield will need support from linemates like Nick Suzuki to generate sustained pressure.
• Special Teams Battle: Both teams have been erratic on the power play. Washington’s defensive discipline, seen in their ability to limit shot attempts, could give them the edge in this department, as Montreal has struggled to find consistency in its own zone.

Prediction

With the Capitals’ recent form and home-ice advantage, they enter as the favorites. The Canadiens will need a far better defensive performance to keep this one close, especially in the first period, where they faltered significantly against Seattle. Expect Washington to continue their winning ways if they maintain control and if Ovechkin remains a scoring threat.