Montréal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals Picks and Predictions December 7th 2024

Capitals look to continue road success at Montreal

The Washington Capitals head to Montreal on Saturday night, looking to cap off their brief Canadian road trip with a win over the Canadiens. With momentum on their side and a franchise-best road streak, the Capitals aim to maintain their edge, while the Canadiens seek their first three-game winning streak of the season.

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Capitals: Road Warriors on a Mission

Washington showcased their resilience and sharp execution with a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday. The win extended their point streak to six games (5-0-1) and their road winning streak to an unprecedented eight games—a record in franchise history.

Connor McMichael continued his breakout season, notching the game-winning goal at 9:51 of the third period. The young forward leads the Capitals in game-winning goals (4) and even-strength goals (12), tying superstar captain Alex Ovechkin for the team lead in overall goals (15).

“I thought we did a really good job tonight of just keeping it simple,” McMichael said after the win. “We were pushing, we had chances, and sometimes that’s just hockey. You get a lucky bounce, and you capitalize.”

Other key contributors included:

• Nic Dowd, who scored his third goal in four games.
• Charlie Lindgren, making 20 saves to secure the win.
• Aliaksei Protas, who sealed the game with an empty-net goal.

Washington has excelled at bouncing back this season, going 6-1-0 after a loss. According to head coach Spencer Carbery, the team’s road success reflects their ability to embrace challenges. “Playing on the road, to me, is where you show your true identity,” Carbery said. “Now we have to clean some things up at home.”

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Montreal Canadiens: Building Momentum

The Canadiens head into the matchup with newfound confidence following a 3-0 shutout victory against the Nashville Predators on Thursday. This win positions Montreal for their first three-game streak of the season. Key to their recent success has been the return of forward Patrik Laine, who has immediately made an impact on the power play.

Laine, acquired from Columbus in August, scored a 5-on-3 power-play goal just over a minute into the third period against Nashville. This marks his second power-play goal in as many games since returning from a knee injury sustained in the preseason.

“It feels good,” Laine said of his performance. “The power play has always been fun to play, and it’s working well so far. I’ll try to keep it going.”

Other highlights for the Canadiens:

• Sam Montembeault, who recorded 29 saves and notched his third shutout of the season. Montembeault has proven himself a vital presence in net, earning a spot on Team Canada for the upcoming 4 Nations Faceoff.
• Jake Evans, contributing a goal and an assist in the victory.
• Lane Hutson, the rookie defenseman, extending his assist streak to five games.

Despite these positive strides, the Canadiens face challenges, including the absence of defenseman Kaiden Guhle, who ranks third on the team in ice time.

What to Watch For

• Capitals’ Road Dominance: Washington’s league-leading 10-2-0 away record is powered by disciplined defense and opportunistic scoring. Their balanced lineup, even without Alex Ovechkin (fractured fibula), poses a significant challenge for any opponent.
• Montreal’s Power Play: Laine’s presence has revitalized the Canadiens’ man-advantage unit. With two power-play goals in as many games, he’s a critical factor in their offensive resurgence.
• Goaltender Duel: Montembeault’s steady presence in net will be crucial as Montreal seeks to neutralize Washington’s attack. On the other side, Charlie Lindgren’s consistency ensures the Capitals remain a tough team to score against.

Head-to-Head and Previous Matchups

The Capitals defeated the Canadiens 6-3 on Halloween, with Ovechkin contributing a goal and two assists. While Ovechkin remains sidelined, his eventual return to the lineup is encouraging for Washington. Meanwhile, Montreal has improved since that meeting, particularly in special teams, setting the stage for a competitive rematch.

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Predicted Impact Players

• Connor McMichael (Capitals): With a knack for clutch goals, McMichael has emerged as a key offensive threat in Ovechkin’s absence.
• Patrik Laine (Canadiens): If Montreal’s power play continues its upward trend, Laine will likely play a central role.
• Sam Montembeault (Canadiens): Facing one of the league’s hottest road teams, Montembeault’s performance could make or break Montreal’s chances.

Conclusion: Capitals Hold the Edge

While the Canadiens are on the rise, the Capitals’ road dominance and balanced scoring give them the upper hand heading into this matchup. The game will be a test of Montreal’s ability to sustain pressure against a confident and experienced Washington squad.

Puck drop is set for Saturday night, and fans can expect a thrilling battle between two teams eager to extend their respective streaks.