Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST
Venue: Bell Centre, Montréal, Quebec
Broadcast: ESPN+, MNMT (Monumental Sports Network), SNE, TVAS, CITYtv
Radio: 93.3 WMMR FM (Capitals) / TSN 690 (Canadiens)
Team Context
The visiting Capitals sit 4th in the Metropolitan Division and 9th in the Eastern Conference, fighting for a wild-card spot. The host Canadiens are 3rd/4th in the tightly packed Atlantic Division (one point behind 2nd/3rd place Buffalo/Detroit, seven back of Tampa Bay) and hold the 4th/5th overall spot in the East. Both teams are playoff contenders in a wide-open Eastern race, making every point critical down the stretch.
Recent Team Forms
Capitals (7-2-1 in last 10, 80% points percentage): Washington is rolling with a three-game win streak, including a gritty 3-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday night (their second half of a back-to-back). They have scored 32 goals while allowing just 27 over the last 10 (3.2 GF/G, 2.7 GA/G). The offense has found consistency, and the defense has tightened significantly post-Olympic break.
Canadiens (6-2-2 in last 10, 70% points percentage): Montreal is on a six-game point streak despite a 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday (their first game back from the Olympic break). They have been explosive offensively, netting 40 goals in the last 10 (4.0 GF/G) while allowing 31 (3.1 GA/G). The Habs have looked dangerous at home but showed some rust in the return game.
Injury Report
Washington Capitals:
- D John Carlson (lower body, day-to-day) — Out (did not travel; missed Friday’s game and remains sidelined after injury on Feb. 5).
No other significant absences reported (Tom Wilson returned from illness and is expected to play).
Montréal Canadiens:
- RW Patrik Laine (lower body) — Injured Reserve (limited to 5 games this season).
- D David Reinbacher — Out.
Otherwise healthy and rolling with their young core.
Series History
The Capitals lead the 2025-26 season series 2-0. Washington has dominated the matchups so far, outscoring Montreal 11-6 across the two contests.
Key notes:
- Forward Ethen Frank has 6 points (4G, 2A) in two games vs. Montréal this season.
- Brendan Gallagher has a goal in each of the two meetings (2G, 1A total).
Historically, Washington is 6-1 straight-up in the last 7 meetings overall.
Projected Lineups & Player Matchups
Washington Capitals (Coach: Spencer Carbery)
Forwards
- Alex Protas – Dylan Strome – Alex Ovechkin
- Connor McMichael – Pierre-Luc Dubois – Tom Wilson
- Anthony Beauvillier – Ryan Sourdif – Ryan Leonard
- Brandon Duhaime – Nic Dowd – Ethen Frank
Defense
Trevor van Riemsdyk – Jakob Chychrun
Martin Fehervary – Brandon Roy
John Carlson (OUT) → pairings shift to Chisholm / van Riemsdyk, etc. Goalies: Logan Thompson (expected starter, strong .913 SV% season form) / Charlie Lindgren Key Matchups:
- Ovechkin vs. the Hutson-Dobson pairing — Montréal’s dynamic young blueline will try to limit the Great 8’s chances.
- Wilson/Dubois physicality vs. Montréal’s speed (Suzuki/Caufield line).
- Frank’s hot hand vs. Habs continues to be a storyline.
Montréal Canadiens (Coach: Martin St. Louis)
Forwards
- Cole Caufield – Nick Suzuki – Kirby Dach
- Juraj Slafkovsky – Kasperi Kapanen – Ivan Demidov
- Josh Anderson – Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher
- Alexandre Texier – Jake Evans – Alex Newhook
Defense
Lane Hutson – Noah Dobson
Mike Matheson – Kaiden Guhle
Arber Xhekaj – Justin Barron / Carrier Goalies: Samuel Montembeault (expected starter) / Jakub Dobes
Key Matchups:
- Suzuki/Caufield speed and skill against Washington’s top defensive pairings (Chychrun/Sandin).
- Gallagher’s history of scoring vs. Caps.
- Montréal’s young stars (Slafkovsky, Demidov, Hutson) vs. a veteran Capitals group looking to grind.
Betting Trends
- Canadiens games have gone OVER 6.5 in 34 of 58 contests (~59%).
- Capitals games have hit OVER 6.5 in 25 of 61 (~41%), but their recent games are trending higher-scoring on the road.
- Montreal is 13-13 as a favorite; 4-2 when ML is -154 or shorter.
- Washington is 6-12 as an underdog this season (33%) but 2-2 when +128 or longer.
- Washington is 6-1 SU in the last 7 head-to-head meetings; totals have gone OVER in 4 of Washington’s last 5 road games vs. Montréal.
- Washington is 4-12 SU in its last 16 road games overall but has won 6 of its last 7 overall.
- Montréal is 6-2-2 (70% points) and scoring 4.0 GPG in last 10; Washington 7-2-1 with elite 2.7 GA/G in last 10.
Game Odds
Washington Capitals 6.5
Montréal Canadiens – 155
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, February 27, 2026
