The Washington Capitals are set to host the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 on Wednesday, with an opportunity to close out their first-round playoff series. Washington established a 3-1 series lead after winning the initial two home games and splitting the two contests played in Montreal. Their decisive 5-2 victory in Game 4 on Sunday put them in a strong position. While the past three games have seen victories by multiple goals, Game 1 of the series required overtime for the Capitals to secure the win. Wednesday`s pivotal Game 5 is scheduled for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
Looking at the betting lines for Game 5, Washington is listed as a -179 favorite on the money line (meaning you risk $179 to win $100). Conversely, Montreal enters as a +152 underdog (risk $100 to win $152). The total goals over/under for the game is set at 6, and the Capitals are given a puck line of -1.5 with odds of +135.
Capitals Money Line (-179) Pick
Washington has demonstrated strong performance throughout the series, particularly in their home games and their commanding Game 4 road win. The 5-2 victory on Sunday showcased their offensive potential, with four goals scored in the third period. Brandon Duhaime netted two goals in that period, while Dylan Strome added a goal and an assist, bringing his series point total to seven. Projections for Game 5 indicate a high probability of a Capitals win, exceeding their implied odds.
Nick Suzuki Under 2.5 Shots on Goal (-188) Pick
Nick Suzuki was highly effective in Game 1, registering a goal and seven shots on net. However, his shot production has significantly decreased since then, with a combined total of just four shots over the subsequent three games, including only one shot in Game 4. Suzuki`s regular season average for shots was 2.1 per game, and predictions for Wednesday`s contest suggest he will remain below the 2.5 shot threshold.
Alex Ovechkin Under 3.5 Shots on Goal (+100) Pick
Alex Ovechkin continues to be a prominent figure and currently leads the Capitals with 13 shots on goal in the playoffs. However, Washington`s offense has shown balance, with multiple players contributing significantly to the shot count. Examining recent performance, Ovechkin has finished under his typical shot total in four of his last five games played at home. Forecasts for this game align with this trend, projecting him to record less than 3.5 shots.
