Canadiens vs. Capitals Predictions, Odds, & Best Bets: Game 5

After letting a third-period slip in Sunday’s Game 4, the Montreal Canadiens have their backs up against the proverbial wall in their first-round series with the Washington Capitals.

The Capitals’ 5-2 victory at Bell Centre, powered by four goals in the final frame, gave the Metropolitan Division champions a 3-1 series advantage to take back to Washington.

Before Montreal tries to stave off elimination at Capital One Arena in a do-or-die Game 5 on Wednesday night, I’ll dig into the latest ice hockey odds before making my Canadiens vs. Capitals best bets.

Canadiens vs. Capitals Odds: Game 5

• Canadiens spread: +1.5
• Capitals spread: -1.5
• Total: 6

Canadiens vs. Capitals Series Winner Odds

The Capitals are -2000 favourites to win this series in the latest NHL betting odds, giving Washington an implied probability of 95.2% to advance.

Montreal faces an uphill battle to reach Round 2, as its +1000 odds imply a 9.1% chance of coming back from a 3-1 series deficit.

Canadiens series winner odds: +1000

Capitals series winner odds: -2000

Canadiens vs. Capitals Predictions & Best Bets for Game 5

I like Washington to close out this series in front of its home fans on Wednesday night, so I’m looking to back Alex Ovechkin’s squad in my Game 5 bets and parlays. However, its moneyline price (-190) is a little steep, so I’m taking the Capitals -1.5 (+135). 

Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis showed in Game 4 that he won’t hesitate to swap his goaltender for an extra attacker if his team is trailing in the third period. His decision to pull Jakub Dobes with 2 minutes, 47 seconds remaining led to a pair of Washington empty-net goals. While I don’t love relying on an empty-net tally to win a bet, the plus-money odds are worth the potential risk. 

I’ll also cover my bases with a parlay of the Capitals to win and over 4.5 total goals (-115). Montreal has struggled on its travels this season, posting a 17-19-5 record away from Bell Centre, and six of the seven meetings between these teams this season have featured at least five goals. 

The Habs could also have Dobes in net for his first career road playoff start if starter Sam Montembeault (lower-body injury) doesn’t return to the lineup after missing Game 4. The 23-year-old has been solid since making his NHL debut in December, but I’m not ready to rely on a goaltender who has yet to make 20 starts at this level.

Before Game 1, I took the Capitals -1.5 (-125) in the series market. That prop now has -600 odds, as Washington has two opportunities to close out this series in fewer than seven games, and I expect it to get over the line sooner rather than later.

Canadiens vs. Capitals Series Schedule

Canadiens vs. Capitals Playoff History

This series will be the second playoff meeting between the Canadiens and Capitals. 

Montreal won the previous first-round matchup in 2010, knocking off a top-seeded Washington side in seven games.