Capitals vs. Canadiens Prediction & Picks - NHL Playoffs First Round Game 3

On Friday the Montreal Canadiens take their home ice at Bell Centre to square off against the Washington Capitals in Game 3 of the NHL Playoffs First Round, beginning at 7 p.m. ET on TNT. The Capitals hold a 2-0 lead in the series. The Canadiens are underdogs (-102) in this matchup with the Capitals (-118).

Watch the NHL, other live sports and more on Max. Use our link to sign up today.

Ahead of watching this matchup, here is a look at which team we pick to bring home the victory in Friday's NHL Playoffs First Round action.

Capitals vs. Canadiens Predictions for Friday

Our computer projection model for this game predicts a final score of Capitals 4, Canadiens 3.

• Moneyline Pick: Capitals (-118)
• Total Pick: Over 5.5 (computer predicts 6.2 goals on average)
• Spread Pick: Canadiens (+1.5)

Catch NHL action all season long on Max.

Capitals Splits and Trends

• The Capitals (51-22-9 overall) have a 9-9-18 record in games that have gone to overtime.
• Washington is 15-4-6 (36 points) in its 25 games decided by one goal.
• Looking at the 11 times this season the Capitals ended a game with only one goal, they have a 1-9-1 record, good for three points.
• Washington has finished 2-8-2 in the 12 games this season when it scored a pair of goals (registering six points).
• The Capitals have scored more than two goals in 58 games (50-2-6, 106 points).
• In the 32 games when Washington has recorded a single power-play goal, it went 20-9-3 to record 43 points.
• In the 46 games when it outshot its opponent, Washington is 31-11-4 (66 points).
• The Capitals' opponents have had more shots in 36 games. The Capitals went 21-10-5 in those contests (47 points).

Canadiens Splits and Trends

• The Canadiens (40-31-11 overall) have posted a record of 10-12-22 in matchups that have required OT this season.
• Montreal has earned 40 points (16-4-8) in its 28 games decided by one goal.
• In 10 games this season when the Canadiens ended a game with just one goal, they earned a total of five points (2-7-1).
• When Montreal has scored exactly two goals this season, they've earned 10 points (3-10-4 record).
• The Canadiens have earned 76 points in their 52 games with at least three goals scored.
• This season, Montreal has recorded a lone power-play goal in 33 games and picked up 39 points with a record of 16-10-7.
• When it outshoots its opponent this season, Montreal has posted a record of 17-10-2 (36 points).
• The Canadiens have been outshot by opponents in 52 games, going 22-20-10 to register 54 points.

Looking for NHL tickets? Head to StubHub today and see your team live.

Team Stats Comparison

Capitals vs. Canadiens Game Time and TV Channel

• When: Friday, April 25, 2025 at 7 p.m. ET
• TV Channel: TNT
• Live Stream: Watch this match on Max (Regional restrictions may apply)
• Where: Bell Centre in Montréal, Quebec

Sign up for Max to watch the Capitals take on Canadiens.