The Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets meet Friday in NHL action at Nationwide Arena. Here’s a Blue Jackets vs Capitals Prediction. This article will include a Blue Jackets vs Capitals Pick.
Washington Capitals Betting Preview
The Washington Capitals beat the Kraken, lost to the Canucks, and they play the Senators next. The Capitals have won 5 of their last 6 games.
The Washington Capitals are averaging 3 goals per game and are scoring 18.2 percent of their power play opportunities. Aliaksei Protas leads Washington with 4 goals, Dylan Strome has 7 assists, and John Carlson has 19 shots on goal. Defensively, the Washington Capitals are allowing 1.86 goals per game and are killing 70.6 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Logan Thompson has given up 8 goals on 109 shots faced, and Charlie Lindgren has allowed 4 goals on 59 shots.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Lightning and Stars, and play the Penguins next. The Blue Jackets have won 9 of their last 12 games.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are averaging 3.17 goals per game and are scoring 20 percent of their power play opportunities. Kirill Marchenko leads Columbus with 5 goals, Boone Jenner has 4 assists and Zach Werenski has 22 shots on goal. Defensively, the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowing 2.67 goals per game and are killing 60 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jet Greaves has allowed 6 goals on 83 shots faced, and Elvis Merzlikins has given up 8 goals on 110 shots.
Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win
- The Capitals have lost four of their last five games as favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Blue Jackets have won seven of their last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last seven road games following a win.
- The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in each of their last six games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Capitals have lost the third period in each of their last seven games against Metropolitan Division opponents when trailing after the second period.
Why the Washington Capitals will win
- The Capitals have won each of their last six night games at Nationwide Arena.
- The Blue Jackets have lost seven of their last eight games as home underdogs.
- The road team has covered the puck line in five of the Blue Jackets’ last six games.
- The Capitals have won the second period in each of their last five games against Metropolitan Division opponents when leading after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Seven of the Capitals’ last eight night games against opponents on a winning streak have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Blue Jackets’ last four games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the last five Friday games at Nationwide Arena have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in 15 of the Blue Jackets’ last 16 games following a road win.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in nine of the Capitals’ last 11 games as road favorites.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Adam Fantilli has scored at least one goal in five of the Blue Jackets’ last six games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Sean Monahan has recorded at least one assist in seven of his last eight appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Kirill Marchenko has recorded a point in each of the Blue Jackets’ last six home games.
- Kirill Marchenko ranks T3rd in the league for Game Winning Goals (2) this season.
Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts
- Alex Ovechkin has scored a goal in each of his last four appearances against the Blue Jackets.
- Dylan Strome has recorded at least one assist in each of the Capitals’ last five games as favorites against the Blue Jackets.
- Alex Ovechkin has recorded a point in eight of his last nine road appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Dylan Strome has recorded an assist in each of his last four appearances – equal-longest active streak in the league.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 32nd in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (60.00%).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank T1st in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (0).
- The Washington Capitals rank 1st in the league for goals against per game this season (1.86).
- The Washington Capitals rank 25th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (70.59%).
Blue Jackets vs Capitals Prediction
The Blue Jackets are worth a look with the cheaper price at home given the way they’ve played this season through 6 games. However, the Capitals were road warriors for much of last season, and they’ve picked up where they’ve left off in two contests. The Caps have also won 7 of the last 10 games against the Blue Jackets. The Capitals are rolling defensively, and they’re aggressive offensively. Despite some nice wins, the Blue Jackets haven’t been sharp defensively yet, which could be their downfall here. Give me the Capitals on the road.