The Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals meet Sunday in NHL action at the Capital One Arena. Here’s a Capitals vs Blue Jackets Prediction. This article will include a Capitals vs Blue Jackets Pick.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Capitals and Sabres, and play the Flyers and Islanders next. The Blue Jackets look to win three straight games for the first time since February 22 – March 1.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are averaging 3.22 goals per game and are scoring 19.4 percent of their power play opportunities. Kirill Marchenko leads Columbus with 31 goals, Zach Werenski has 56 assists, and Adam Fantilli has 183 shots on goal. Defensively, the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowing 3.35 goals per game and are killing 76.3 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Daniil Tarasov has allowed 65 goals on 544 shots faced, and Elvis Merzlikins has given up 168 goals on 1,557 shots.
Washington Capitals Betting Preview
The Washington Capitals lost to the Blue Jackets, beat the Hurricanes, and they play the Islanders and Penguins next. The Capitals have seen six of their 20 losses come since March 25.
The Washington Capitals are averaging 3.54 goals per game and are scoring 23.5 percent of their power play opportunities. Alex Ovechkin leads Washington with 42 goals, Dylan Strome has 51 assists, and Jakob Chychrun has 177 shots on goal. Defensively, the Washington Capitals are allowing 2.77 goals per game and are killing 81.7 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Charlie Lindgren has allowed 99 goals on 929 shots faced, and Logan Thompson has given up 105 goals on 1,172 shots.
Why the Washington Capitals will win
- The Blue Jackets have lost 15 of their last 16 games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Capitals have won each of their last seven night games at Capital One Arena.
- The home team has covered the puck line in each of the Capitals’ last six games.
- The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in 14 of their last 16 games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Blue Jackets have lost the first period in each of their last six road games.
Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win
- The Capitals have lost each of their last six games as home favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
- The underdogs have won two of the Capitals’ last three games.
- The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last eight games as home favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in each of their last eight games against the Capitals following a home win.
- The Capitals have lost the third period in each of their last five games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Capitals vs Blue Jackets Injury Report
The Washington Capitals will be without Logan Thompson, Aliaksei Protas, Jakob Chychrun, and Alex Ovechkin.
The Blue Jackets will be without Owen Sillinger, while Elvis Merzlikins is questionable.
Capitals vs Blue Jackets Prediction
It’s not easy to beat the same team twice in as many days, especially a good team. However, the Capitals have been in shaky form these last couple of weeks and now their injury report is getting longer. The Blue Jackets are making a last second push toward a wild card berth, and they had their way with the Caps yesterday in a 7-0 beat down. The Capitals have scored one or fewer goals in three of their last five games. The Capitals should get the benefit of the doubt as they’re the better team, and they’re 26-8-6 at home. I’ll still take a shot with the Blue Jackets and the plus money.