(YTD: 25-20 +9.35 units)

Capitals/Canadiens:

We are past the six week mark of the season. The Montreal Canadiens current 5th place Standing may have been expected, but not in the form of a 11-6-3 record in what was also not anticipated to be the most competitive division in hockey. 

Let’s face it, the Habs have turned some heads this year and are getting very motivated and rejuvenated production from more than a few players. Not many expected them to battle for this long, but they are coming home from a road trip that saw decent success in winning 2 of the 3 games in Western Canada. 

Montreal flies home three time zones back east to face the defending Champions, and they do so with a lot more respect than anticipated. 

Being an Original Six team at home definitely adds to stature and favor, but being 6-3-1 at home also proves a point. The Habs are gelling, but deep down I don’t think there are too many close hockey followers that would be particularly surprised if Montreal started to fall apart right about now. 

Let’s face it. This is a matchup between men and boys. The essential core of contributors of the Montreal Canadiens are years before their prime, and the essential core of the Washington Capitals are an established resilient team that just went through ordeals to win a Stanley Cup. 

While the Capitals have displaced phases of complacency in several occasions so far this season, they are also 4-2-1 in situations where they have been the underdog this season. They have come to life when least expected, and more importantly, give them some time off and they will teach young teams a lesson. 

With this Canadiens team on high horses following a Western Canada trip, expect this return home to possibly get the best of them tonight. We have some very inflated value because of reasons (including a back up goalie being in goal for Washington) that I just cannot justify.

Capitals moneyline +106  3*