Washington Capitals v Montreal Canadiens, NHL

The big picture

Washington Capitals come in 16th on the ladder; Montreal Canadiens are 9th. Montreal Canadiens are the side higher up the table.

Washington Capitals are 8–6 in NHL 2026-27, averaging 3.5 goals for and 3.4 against.

Montreal Canadiens are 10–6 in NHL 2026-27, averaging 3.6 goals for and 3.2 against.

Form

Washington Capitals have won three of their last five and most recently lost to Dallas Stars 5–6.

Montreal Canadiens have won four of their last five and most recently beat Utah Mammoth 5–4.

Head to head

These sides have met 96 times on our records since 1999: Washington Capitals 56, Montreal Canadiens 39, 1 drawn.

Last time out (2026-27), Washington Capitals won 5–4 at Capital One Arena.

Biggest margin between these two: Washington Capitals by 7 goals in 2022-23 (9–2).

Players to watch

For Washington Capitals, watch Alex Tuch (0.7 goals a game, 2 assists in 2026-27) and Boone Jenner (6 goals, 1 assist in 2026-27).

For Montreal Canadiens, watch Cole Caufield (11 goals, 4 assists in 2026-27) and Josh Anderson (7 goals, 3 assists in 2026-27).

At Capital One Arena

Washington Capitals have won 16 of their last 23 at Capital One Arena.

The deeper numbers

Montreal Canadiens haven't beaten Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena since 2024-25: 5 meetings there since then.

Montreal Canadiens have lost their last 5 at Capital One Arena and haven't won there since 2024-25 (against Washington Capitals).

What the numbers say

On form, ladder and history, Montreal Canadiens have the edge.