Montreal Canadiens (19-18-3, 41 pts) at Washington Capitals (27-10-4, 58 pts)
Venue: Capital One Arena
Date: Friday, January 10
Time: 7:00 pm EST
TV: ESPN + / TVAS / MNMT
Radio:
Montreal Canadiens – TSN 690 AM (English) / 98,5 FM Cogeco (French)
Washington Capitals – WJFK 106.7 FM / WFED 1500 AM
DraftKings Sportsbook Betting Lines:
Montreal Canadiens +1.5 ML +175
Washington Capitals -1.5 ML -210
O/U 5.5
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Montreal Canadiens News & Notes:
The Montreal Canadiens have won four of their last five games and have inserted themselves into the playoff conversation, while teams like Boston are in a freefall, the Canadiens have moved to within three points of the second Wild Card spot with two games in hand. Montreal is 8-2-0 in their last ten games but has a huge test tonight in Washington against the best team in the Eastern Conference.
Washington Capitals News & Notes:
The Capitals continue to chug along in first place overall in the Eastern Conference, Washington hasn’t looked great lately but they’re still 3-0-2 in their last five games, the Caps just find ways to win. This is the third and final meeting between these clubs this season with Washington taking the first two meetings 6-3 and 4-2 respectively. Montreal has been a different team since the last time these teams met in early December and the Capitals should be prepared for a battle.
Montreal Canadiens Projected Lines:
Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovsky
Pezzetta-Dach-Newhook
Anderson-Dvorak-Gallagher
Heineman-Evans-Armia
Hutson-Matheson
Guhle-Carrier
Xhekaj-Struble
Dobes
Montembeault
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Washington Capitals Projected Lines:
Ovechkin-Strome-Protas
McMichael-Dubois-Wilson
Miroshnichenko-Eller-Raddysh
Duhaime-Dowd-Mangiapane
Sandin-Carlson
Chychrun-van Riemsdyk
Fehervary-Roy
Lindgren
Thompson
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Players To Watch:
Montreal Canadiens
Rookie defenseman Lane Hutson has thrust himself into the Calder Trophy conversation with his play of late – the 20-year-old defenseman has the most points (30) out of the three top contenders (Matvei Michkov and Macklin Celebrini are the other candidates) and is playing on a team in the playoff hunt where the Flyers and Sharks both sit in last place in their divisions. In his last game, Hutson had three points in the 3rd period or overtime. The Illinois native is making the plays when it matters and helping his team win as the 5-foot-10 defenseman set up Nick Suzuki for the overtime game-winner in a 5-4 victory over the Canucks on Monday night.
Washington Capitals
Center Pierre-Luc Dubois has had an up-and-down career but seems to have found a home in Washington. The 3rd overall pick in 2016 by Columbus is now on his fourth team in eight seasons because of questions about effort. With the Capitals the 26-year-old has been stellar and it’s possible that he’s just needed some time to mature. The 6-foot-4 pivot has matured on the ice, he’s playing a solid two-way game and has points in 14 of his last 16 games including five straight games with a point. In the two previous matchups with Montreal this season the Quebec native has a goal and an assist.
Injury Report:
Montreal Canadiens
RW Patrik Laine – Day To Day
LW Rafael Harvey-Pinnard – IR
D David Reinbacher – IR
Washington Capitals
LW Sonny Milano – IR
RW TJ Oshie – LTIR
C Nicklas Backstrom – LTIR
Next Game:
Montreal Canadiens – January 11 vs. Dallas Stars
Washington Capitals – January 11 at Nashville Predators
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