Capitals Cash In on Montreal's Goaltending Disaster

The Canadiens limp into Washington on Wednesday night carrying the NHL's worst goaltending crisis like a boat anchor. Jakub Dobes has been borderline unplayable through three starts, posting an .856 save percentage and a ghastly 4.44 GAA that would make a beer league tender blush. Meanwhile, Charlie Lindgren is quietly locked in for the Caps with a .931 save percentage and 2.08 GAA in his lone appearance. That's not a goaltending mismatch—it's a mercy rule waiting to happen.

Both clubs are grinding through back-to-backs, so fatigue is a wash. But Washington gets the luxury of sleeping in their own beds and playing in front of a home crowd where they've already banked two wins and are averaging 3.67 goals per game. Montreal's defensive structure can't bail out Dobes when he's leaking goals like a sieve, and the Capitals have enough firepower to exploit every soft spot.

DarkHorse has Washington at -130 with moderate confidence, and it's hard to argue. The Caps aren't world-beaters, but they don't need to be when Montreal is gifting opportunities. Lay the short price and ride Lindgren's competence against a Habs squad that can't stop a beach ball right now. This one should be over by the second intermission.