20 – Differential between the number of goals scored by the Capitals in Montreal and the number of goals given up, dating back to the start of the 2005-06 season. The Caps have outscored Montreal 81-61 in 24 regular-season visits during the Ovechkin era, with only six of those games going to overtime (and only two of those ending via the shootout).
The Caps have an overall record of 16-5-3 at Bell Centre over that span, winning five of their last six and 12 of their last 14 games. Their last visit (a 6-4 loss on November 1) was something of an anomaly for the Caps, marking just the third time since 2011-12 in which they’ve given up at least four goals to the Habs and the first time since February 10, 2010 in which they lost such a game – they defeated Montreal 6-4 on March 24 of last season and had a 5-4 shootout victory on April 2, 2015.
Not surprisingly, the Caps’ stars have stolen the Bell Centre spotlight over the years, with Alex Ovechkin holding the franchise scoring record (dating back to 1987-88) against Montreal in Montreal with 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists), followed by Nicklas Backstrom with 20 points (6 goals, 14 assists). Braden Holtby (who will be backing up tonight) has a career record of 8-1-1 in 10 visits to Bell Centre, including three shutouts and a save percentage of .936. The November 1 loss marked his first in regulation in Montreal since the start of his career, and only his second regulation loss to the Habs overall.