The Washington Capitals visit the Montreal Canadiens Sunday in Game 4 of an Eastern Conference first-round, best-of-7 series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Puck drop from Bell Centre in Montreal is set for 6:30 p.m. ET (TBS / truTV / Max). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Capitals vs. Canadiens odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Series: Capitals lead 2-1

The Capitals struggled in their Game 3 loss at the Canadiens, falling 6-3 as -118 favorites with the Over (6) coming through. G Logan Thompson had a rough night, allowing 5 goals on 35 shots before exiting late in the third period with a lower-body injury. G Charlie Lindgren finished the game in net. A couple bright spots for Washington were C Connor McMichael and LW Alex Ovechkin, who each scored their third goals of the postseason..

The young Canadiens made a big statement in Game 3, winning as +107 home underdogs to cut the series deficit to 2-1. Six different players found the back of the net, including captain C Nick Suzuki and RW Cole Caufield. With the game tied 3-3 early in the third, Montreal dominated the rest of the way. The only downside was losing starting G Sam Montembeault to a lower-body injury, but rookie G Jakub Dobes stepped in and stopped 7 of 8 shots.

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Capitals at Canadiens nickname odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:43 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Capitals -118 (bet $118 to win $100) | Canadiens -102 (bet $102 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Capitals -1.5 (+200) | Canadiens +1.5 (-250)Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -105 | U: -115)Capitals at Canadiens projected goalies

Charlie Lindgren (20-14-3, 2.73 GAA, .896 SV%, 1 SO — regular season) vs. Jakub Dobes (7-4-0-3, 2.74 GAA, .909 SV%, 1 SO — regular season)

Lindgren entered in relief during Game 3, stopping 4 of 5 shots in the third period. He hasn’t started a game since April 15. In the regular season, Lindgren is 3-1 in 5 career appearances against the Canadiens. However, his postseason track record isn’t strong, holding an 0-4 record with a 3.73 GAA and a .861 save percentage.

The 23-year-old Dobes made his NHL playoff debut in Game 3, stepping in for the injured Montembeault and stopping 7 of 8 shots. The Ohio State product from the Czech Republic showed his potential earlier this season, debuting on Dec. 28, 2024, and winning his first 6 starts. One of those victories was a solid outing at Washington Jan. 10 when he stopped 15 of 17 shots in a 3-2 OT win. Still, he’s young and finished the regular season with a 1-4-3 record.

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Capitals at Canadiens picks and predictionsPrediction

Capitals 4, Canadiens 3

BET CAPITALS (-118).

In my Game 3 preview, I wrote the Capitals would lose — and they did, dropping their fifth straight playoff road game. I also mentioned that the Canadiens’ young talent wouldn’t allow them to get swept. However, I didn’t expect Montreal to completely embarrass Washington in the third period the way it did, outscoring the Caps 3-1.

Now, Game 4 is critical. The Capitals have to respond and take control after that ugly loss. If they let the Habs grab another win, this series could easily slip away. Washington is the more experienced and talented team, but Montreal is playing with nothing to lose and all the momentum.

No one expected the Canadiens to be in this position, and they’re dangerous because of it. Still, I trust Ovechkin and company to regroup and grind out a win to regain control of the series.

I’m BACKING WASHINGTON (-118) on the moneyline in what should be another tight battle.

PASS.

I’m not going to mess around with the puck line. I’d only like the Canadiens but the -250 is too much juice to risk.

PASS.

There are just too many question marks to feel good about betting the total in this game. A rookie goalie is expected to make his first NHL playoff start and his counterpart is a veteran who’s never won a playoff game. I’d lean slightly toward the Over 6 (-115), but it’s safer to stick with the moneyline and stay away from the total altogether.

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