The Montreal Canadiens will try to force a Game 7 tonight, Monday April 26, as they host the Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference Quarter Finals. The Habs won Game 6, 2-1 as +319 roaddogs and are down 2-3 in this series. NHL oddsmakers at SBGGLOBAL.com have the Capitals as -190 moneyline road favorites over the Canadiens (+165) with the over/under set at 6 goals. Be sure to get your 2010 NHL Playoffs: 2010 NHL Playoffs: Washington Capitals vs Montreal Canadiens Game 6 Odds & Prediction in now at SBGGLOBAL.com
The Capitals lost Game 5, at home, after winning three straight over the Canadiens. They won two straight in Montreal where they outscored them 11-4. Washington has the most dangerous offensive team in the league, but they’re getting no production from Alexander Semin, one of the league's most dangerous offensive players. Through five games, he has no goals and one assist, after he had 40 goals and 44 assists during the regular season. While Semin struggles to get goals, it puts more pressure on the top line of Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Knuble. It’s also a little easier for opponents to defend as they can pit top defenders against the Caps top line and not have to worry much about the next line taking the ice. Friday night, Semin registered nine shots against the Canadiens, and his 29 shots through five games this postseason ranked second in the playoffs through Saturday's games. It is a stat the Capitals are leaning on to show that Semin is engaged. Good players can't be held back forever, they're eventually going to break out. Goalie Simeon Varlamov is 3-1 in this series with a 2.34 GAA. The Caps powerplay woes continue having scored once in five games, or 24 powerplays. The Capitals are 2-7 in Game 5 when they have a chance to clinch a series. The road team has scored the first goal in each of the five games during this series.
The Canadiens earned this chance at a Game 6 by playing their most complete game of the series in Game 5. Jaroslav Halak was splendid in stopping 37 shots, including 12 in the third period and 11 on the power play. Michael Cammalleri and Travis Moen scored before the game was 10 minutes old as the action heads back to Canada. Cammalleri now has three goals and four assists in the series. The Canadiens have trailed 3-1 in a seven-game series 16 times and have come back to win only once (2004 against the Boston Bruins). They haven't won a home playoff game since Game 1 of the 2008 Eastern Conference Semifinals against Philadelphia. They are 4-10 in home playoff games since the work stoppage. They have high expectations. They're supposed to win the Stanley Cup, supposed to beat us," Cammalleri said. "That's sometimes a bit of a burden. For us, it's the opposite. We do believe we can win, and we don't think anybody expects us to. That's OK with us."
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Over is 4-0-1 in the last 5 meetings in Montreal.
- Road team is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- Capitals are 4-0 in their last 4 road games.
- Capitals are 8-2 in their last 10 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
- Capitals are 4-1 in their last 5 games as a road favorite.
- Canadiens are 1-4 in their last 5 games as a home underdog.
- Canadiens are 2-11 in their last 13 playoff games as an underdog.
Washington Capitals vs Montreal Canadiens
When: Monday April 26, 2010 7:00 PM ET
Line: SBGGLOBAL.com
Pick: Caps -190
Point-Spreads.com 2010 NHL Playoffs: Washington Capitals vs Montreal Canadiens Game 6 Odds & Predictions
The Bottom Line: The Caps are going to play their hardest game tonight so they can rest after their win. Be sure to get your 2010 NHL Playoffs: Washington Capitals vs Montreal Canadiens Game 6 Odds & Predictions in now at SBGGLOBAL.com and receive up to 20% in Sign-up Bonuses and start winning today!
