The Washington Capitals are set to face off against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5, aiming to secure their first-round playoff series victory. Washington established dominance early, winning the first two games at home before splitting the subsequent two games in Montreal. Their decisive 5-2 win in Game 4 on Sunday gave the Capitals a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.
While the last three matchups have featured multi-goal margins, the series opener was a much tighter contest that required overtime for Washington to emerge victorious. Game 5 is scheduled to be held at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
Looking at the betting lines, Washington enters the game as a favorite on the moneyline at -179, with Montreal listed as the underdog at +152. The projected total goals for the game (over/under) is set at 6, and Washington is also favored on the puck line at -1.5 with odds of +135.
Before making any wagers on this Canadiens vs. Capitals game, it`s beneficial to consult the NHL predictions generated by SportsLine`s reputable model. This model simulates every NHL game 10,000 times and has demonstrated a solid track record in the 2025 NHL playoffs, holding a combined 78-55 record on top-rated puck line and over/under picks, resulting in over $1,500 in returns for $100 bettors.
SportsLine Model`s Best Bets for Game 5:
Capitals Moneyline (-179):
Washington has effectively handled their home games in the series and carries significant momentum after their 5-2 road win on Sunday. Their offensive performance was strong in Game 4, particularly in the third period with four goals, including two from Brandon Duhaime. Dylan Strome has also been a key contributor with seven points in the series. The SportsLine model`s simulations show the Capitals winning Game 5 nearly 70% of the time, which is a higher probability than the implied odds (64%), indicating potential value on this pick.
Nick Suzuki Under 2.5 Shots on Goal (-188):
Nick Suzuki was impactful in Game 1, registering seven shots and a goal. However, his shot volume has significantly decreased since then, accumulating only four shots total over the last three games, with just one in Game 4. This trend aligns more closely with his regular season average of 2.1 shots per game. The model forecasts Suzuki finishing Game 5 with approximately 1.58 shots, strongly supporting the under bet on his shot total.
Alex Ovechkin Under 3.5 Shots on Goal (+100):
While Alex Ovechkin leads the Capitals with 13 shots on goal in the playoffs, the team`s attack features contributions from multiple players, with six teammates having at least eight shots in the series. Ovechkin`s shot production has also been lower than this total in recent home games, going under in four of his last five appearances at Capital One Arena. The SportsLine model projects him for 3.3 shots in Game 5, suggesting the under at even odds offers favorable value.
