AP
The Montreal Canadiens have spent the last two months in playoff mode.
The Habs went into the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off as a 16/1 long shot to make the postseason, but they pulled it off by going 15-5-6 after the hiatus, the fourth-best record in the NHL during that span.
Montreal is a big underdog to win its series, and Game 1 against the Washington Capitals, but the Habs are playing with house money.
Is that enough to warrant a bet on Montreal at plus-money on Monday night?
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Canadiens vs. Capitals Game 1 betting preview
While the Canadiens surged down the stretch, the Capitals were ascendant all season. Washington finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference and was in the race for the Presidents’ Trophy until the final week of the regular season.
Washington’s defensive structure and ability to prevent scoring chances is what set it apart all season, but the Caps don’t really have any weaknesses.
The Capitals may not be elite at any one thing, but they’re good at just about everything.
The Habs will try to test that structure all series, as Montreal’s best chance at causing the upset is to open up the ice and engage the Caps in as many back-and-forth contests as possible.
Canadiens vs. Capitals Game 1 pick
The Canadiens will come into Monday’s Game 1 buoyant, but it’s the Capitals that should enjoy this stylistic matchup more than Montreal.
Washington can sit back and focus on defending, while Montreal will try to force things to get the game off script any chance it gets.
That should leave the Habs vulnerable defensively, which plays right into Washington’s hands.
The Play: Capitals -1.5 (+140, bet365)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
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