- Montreal tries to even its best-of-seven series with Washington in Game 4 on Sunday night
- Back-up goalies are the storyline for Game 4, and I’ve got everything you need to know including a prediction and a preview of the best odds
- See the Capitals vs Canadiens predictions and odds on April 27
The Washington Capitals (47-38 ATS) look to take a commanding 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Sunday when they visit the Montreal Canadiens (49-36) at the Bell Centre at 6:30 pm ET on Sunday night.
The Caps have won five of the last seven games over the Canadiens, but Montreal has won its last 10 home games against teams from the East. Game 3 at Bell Centre was the best game of the NHL playoff so far, and I have a look at the best odds and a prediction for Game 4.
Capitals vs Canadiens Game 4 Odds
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Washington is 1.5-goal favorites for the fourth time this series. I’ve seen the total at 6.5 at DraftKings and FanDuel, which is understandable based on the nine combined goals scored in Game 3, plus the fact that both starting goalies, Logan Thompson for Washington and Sam Montembeault for Montreal, could miss Game 4 with injuries.
The best moneyline odds for Washington are at Caesars at -115 and, for the Habs, you should go +100 at FanDuel.
Games at Bell Centre are 18-22-2 over/under this season.
WSH Capitals vs MON Canadiens Game 4 Prediction
Montreal has covered the puck line in each of its last six games as home underdogs, but I’m predicting that the Capitals get it done today and cover the 1.5-goal puck line.
Game 3 was bizarre. It was Montreal’s first real home playoff game since 2017 and the crowd was bonkers. Canadiens forward Josh Anderson and Capitals forward Tom Wilson got into a scrum that spilled onto the Caps bench before an official jumped in.
Dylan Strome has scored a point in 12 of the last 13 games for Washington and they still have the greatest goalie scorer in NHL history in Alexander Ovechkin on their side. Ovechkin has three goals in this series and helped bring Washington back from a deficit in Game 3. I figured emotions would carry the day for Montreal in Game 3, but you can only ride that for so long.
I can see just how this goes, the Bell Centre crowd is fired up to start the game, and Montreal takes a lead, but Washington fights back and dominates the last two periods.
If Thompson can’t go for the Capitals and Montembeault is on the bench for Montreal, that means that the Habs will go with rookie Jakub Dobes, while the Capitals will turn to Charlie Lindgren. Here’s how both back-up goalies compare.
Capitals vs Canadiens Back-Up Goalies Head-to-Head
The Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens are set to face off in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. With the Capitals currently leading the series 2-1, the Canadiens will be looking to even the score and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Heading into Game 4, the Capitals are the clear favorites to win, with odds makers giving them a 60% chance of coming out on top. This is largely due to their strong performance in the first three games of the series, where they have outscored the Canadiens 10-5 and have looked dominant on both ends of the ice.
However, the Canadiens should not be counted out just yet. They have shown flashes of brilliance in this series, particularly in Game 2 where they shut out the Capitals 5-0. If they can recapture that form and get some key players going offensively, they have a real shot at pulling off the upset in Game 4.
One player to watch in this game is Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin has been a force to be reckoned with in this series, scoring three goals in the first three games and leading his team both on and off the ice. If he can continue his strong play in Game 4, the Capitals will be in good shape to close out the series.
On the other side, Canadiens goaltender Carey Price will be crucial to their success in Game 4. Price has been solid in net so far in this series, but will need to be at his absolute best if the Canadiens hope to steal a win on the road and force a Game 5.
Overall, Game 4 between the Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens promises to be an exciting and closely contested matchup. While the odds may favor the Capitals, anything can happen in playoff hockey, and the Canadiens will be looking to defy expectations and keep their season alive. Fans can expect a thrilling game with plenty of drama and excitement as these two teams battle it out on the ice.
