The Washington Capitals are looking to close out their first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5, scheduled for Wednesday. Washington currently holds a 3-1 lead in the series. They secured victories in the initial two home games before splitting the subsequent two contests in Montreal, culminating in a decisive 5-2 win in Game 4 on Sunday. While Game 1 was a tight battle decided in overtime, the following three games have all featured multi-goal margins. Wednesday`s crucial Game 5 is set to take place at 7 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
In the latest betting odds for the Capitals vs. Canadiens matchup, Washington is listed as the favorite on the money line at -179, meaning a $179 wager would yield a $100 profit. Montreal enters as the underdog at +152, where a $100 bet could win $152. The total number of goals expected (over/under) is set at 6. For those betting on the puck line, the Capitals are favored at -1.5 with odds of +135. Before making any wagers, considering the NHL predictions from SportsLine`s proven model is recommended.
The SportsLine Projection Model, which runs simulations of every NHL game 10,000 times, has demonstrated success in the 2025 NHL playoffs. It has a combined record of 78-55 on top-rated NHL puck line and over/under picks, generating over $1,500 in returns for $100 bettors. Based on its analysis for Wednesday`s game, here are three recommended bets:
Recommended Bets
Washington Capitals Money Line (-179)
Washington has been effective on home ice, winning the first two games of the series there. Their recent 5-2 road victory in Game 4 further highlights their control. The team`s offense has seen contributions from multiple players, including Brandon Duhaime, who scored twice in Game 4, and Dylan Strome, who has accumulated seven points in the series. The SportsLine model projects the Capitals to win Game 5 in nearly 70% of simulations, a probability higher than the implied odds of approximately 64%.
Nick Suzuki Under 2.5 Shots on Goal (-188)
Montreal`s Nick Suzuki was prominent in Game 1 with seven shots on goal, but his shot volume has significantly decreased since then. Across the subsequent three games, he managed only four combined shots, with just one shot recorded in Game 4. His regular-season average was 2.1 shots per game. The model anticipates Suzuki will finish Game 5 with approximately 1.58 shots, making the Under 2.5 a favorable pick.
Alex Ovechkin Under 3.5 Shots on Goal (+100)
Alex Ovechkin leads the Capitals in shots on goal in this series with 13. However, Washington`s offensive effort has been balanced, with six other teammates also recording at least eight shots. Ovechkin himself has finished below the 3.5 shots on goal mark in four of his last five home games. The model forecasts him having 3.3 shots in Wednesday`s game, suggesting value in betting the Under 3.5 at +100 odds.
