The Montreal Canadiens (26-14-6) travel to face the Washington Capitals (23-17-6) in an Eastern Conference matchup that features a streaking Canadiens team on a four-game point streak against a Capitals squad looking to rebound from recent inconsistencies. This is the second meeting of the season, with Washington claiming a 4-2 victory in their first encounter on November 15, 2025. With Montreal’s balanced attack and Washington’s veteran leadership potentially hampered by injuries, this game could hinge on goaltending and special teams execution.
Venue Location
Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C. This multi-purpose venue, home to the Capitals since 1997, has a seating capacity of approximately 18,573 for hockey games and is known for its energetic atmosphere during key matchups.
Puckdrop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET (4:00 PM PT). The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN+, with local coverage on RDS/TSN (Canadiens) and MNMT (Capitals), and radio options including 98.5 FM (Montreal) and WFED 1500 AM (Washington).
Recent Team Forms
The Canadiens have been one of the league’s hotter teams, going 8-2-0 in their last 10 games with a focus on offensive depth and timely scoring (averaging 3.8 goals per game in that stretch). They’ve won four straight, including a comeback effort against Vancouver. The Capitals, conversely, are 4-5-1 in their last 10, with defensive issues allowing 3.2 goals against per game and recent losses highlighting injury impacts.
Here’s a breakdown of each team’s last five games:
| Team | Date | Opponent | Result | Key Performers |
| Montreal Canadiens | Jan 12, 2026 | vs. Vancouver Canucks | W 6-3 | Alexander Carrier: 2 G; Cole Caufield: 1 G, 2 A; Samuel Montembeault: 28 SV |
| Montreal Canadiens | Jan 10, 2026 | vs. Detroit Red Wings | L 0-4 | Juraj Slafkovsky: 4 SOG; Montembeault: 23 SV |
| Montreal Canadiens | Jan 8, 2026 | at New York Rangers | W 3-2 | Nick Suzuki: 1 G, 1 A; Kirby Dach: GWG |
| Montreal Canadiens | Jan 6, 2026 | vs. Toronto Maple Leafs | W 4-1 | Caufield: 2 G; Mike Matheson: 2 A |
| Montreal Canadiens | Jan 4, 2026 | at Ottawa Senators | W 5-3 | Slafkovsky: 2 G; Suzuki: 3 A |
| Washington Capitals | Jan 11, 2026 | vs. Nashville Predators | L 2-3 | Dylan Strome: 1 G; Charlie Lindgren: 30 SV |
| Washington Capitals | Jan 9, 2026 | vs. Chicago Blackhawks | W 5-1 | Alex Ovechkin: 2 G; Connor McMichael: 1 G, 1 A |
| Washington Capitals | Jan 7, 2026 | vs. Dallas Stars | L 3-4 OT | Strome: 2 A; Logan Thompson: 27 SV |
| Washington Capitals | Jan 5, 2026 | at Anaheim Ducks | W 7-4 | Ovechkin: 1 G, 2 A; Aliaksei Protas: 2 G |
| Washington Capitals | Jan 3, 2026 | vs. Carolina Hurricanes | L 1-2 | John Carlson: 1 G |
Injury Report
Montreal Canadiens: Josh Anderson (day-to-day, upper body – missed last game but could return), Patrik Laine (IR, abdomen – expected back late February), Jake Evans (IR, lower body – targeting January 27), Alex Newhook (out, ankle), Kirby Dach (questionable, undisclosed). Montreal’s forward depth is tested, but their core remains intact.
Washington Capitals: Tom Wilson (IR, lower body – day-to-day, possible return tonight), Pierre-Luc Dubois (out, abdomen – 6 games missed), Jakob Chychrun (day-to-day, illness/upper body), Justin Sourdif (day-to-day, upper body). Washington’s scoring punch is diminished without Wilson and Dubois, putting pressure on their blue line.
These absences could favor Montreal’s speed if Washington’s defense falters.
Key
Player Matchups
This contest spotlights offensive stars against stout defenses, with Montreal’s young guns testing Washington’s experience.
Alex Ovechkin (WSH) vs. Lane Hutson (MTL): Ovechkin (leading Capitals with 28 goals) brings power and shot volume, but Hutson’s agility (top rookie defenseman with 25 assists) could limit his space in the offensive zone.
Nick Suzuki (MTL) vs. Dylan Strome (WSH): Suzuki (45 points, recent multi-point games) faces Strome (40 points), in a center battle that could control faceoffs (Suzuki 55% win rate) and transition play.
Cole Caufield (MTL) vs. John Carlson (WSH): Caufield’s sniping (22 goals) vs. Carlson’s veteran presence (30 assists) – expect this to influence power plays, where Montreal ranks 8th league-wide.
Juraj Slafkovsky (MTL) vs. Rasmus Sandin (WSH): Slafkovsky’s physicality (15 goals, 200+ hits) challenges Sandin’s mobility on the blue line.
Goaltending: Samuel Montembeault (MTL) vs. Charlie Lindgren (WSH): Montembeault (2.45 GAA recently) vs. Lindgren (2.78 GAA) – Montreal’s edge here if injuries force Washington to over-rely on backups.
Montreal’s youth could exploit Washington’s depleted lineup.
Series History
The Canadiens hold a slight all-time edge with 87 wins to Washington’s 90 in 196 regular-season meetings (with 17 ties and 2 OT losses for Washington). Montreal has dominated recently, winning 4 of the last 7, though Washington has a 3-game winning streak entering this season’s series. At Capital One Arena, the Capitals are 48-43-8 against Montreal. Games average 5.9 total goals, often featuring high-scoring third periods.
Betting Trends
Spread: Montreal is 7-3 ATS in last 10, covering in 6 of 8 road games. Capitals are 4-6 ATS overall but 12-9 ATS at home.
Moneyline: Montreal has won 4 straight as underdogs.
Over/Under: Over hitting in 6 of the last 10 head-to-heads. Canadiens games have gone over in 7 of last 10; Capitals in 4 of 10.
Trends: Montreal is 8-2 SU in last 10 (+6.5 units), while Capitals are 1-4 SU in last 5 home games vs. Atlantic teams. Player props favor Ovechkin over 0.5 goals (-120) and Suzuki over 0.5 assists (-110).
Game Odds
Montreal Canadiens 6.5
Washington Capitals – 155
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, January 12, 2026
