Washington Capitals (19-6-2) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (12-13-3)
December 12, 2024 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Columbus Blue Jackets +130 / Washington Capitals -155; Over/Under: +6.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets meet Thursday in NHL action at the Nationwide Arena. Here’s a Columbus Blue Jackets vs Washington Capitals Prediction. This article will include a Columbus Blue Jackets vs Washington Capitals Pick.
Washington Capitals Betting Preview
The Washington Capitals beat the Maple Leafs and Canadiens, and they play the Sabres, Stars, and Blackhawks next. The Washington Capitals are averaging 4.04 goals per game and are scoring 21.2 percent of their power play opportunities. Connor McMichael leads Washington with 15 goals, Dylan Strome has 26 assists and John Carlson has 70 shots on goal. Defensively, the Washington Capitals are allowing 2.74 goals per game and are killing 83.7 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Charlie Lindgren has allowed 36 goals on 339 shots faced, and Logan Thompson has given up 35 goals on 404 shots.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Jets, lost to the Flyers, and they play the Ducks, Hurricanes, and Lightning next. The Columbus Blue Jackets are averaging 3.39 goals per game and are scoring 18.3 percent of their power play opportunities. Kirill Marchenko leads Columbus with 10 goals, Zach Werenski has 20 assists and Sean Monahan has 73 shots on goal. Defensively, the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowing 3.61 goals per game and are killing 71.4 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Daniil Tarasov has allowed 38 goals on 266 shots faced, and Elvis Merzlikins has given up 58 goals on 518 shots.
Why the Washington Capitals will win
- The Capitals have won each of their last nine road games.
- The Blue Jackets have lost five of their last six night games.
- The Capitals have covered the puck line in each of their last nine road games.
- The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six night games.
- The Capitals have won the third period in eight of their last nine road games.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Zach Werenski has scored at least one goal in five of the Blue Jackets’ last six home games.
- Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in six of the Blue Jackets’ last seven home games.
- Kent Johnson has recorded at least one point in each of his last seven appearances at Nationwide Arena.
- Zach Werenski ranks 1st in the league for average time on ice (26:06) this season.
Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts
- Connor McMichael has recorded at least one assist in each of the Capitals’ last four games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Connor McMichael has recorded at least one point in each of the Capitals’ last seven games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Alex Ovechkin has scored at least one goal in four of his last five appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Rasmus Sandin ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference for Plus/Minus (+19) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 31st in the league for goals against per game this season (3.61).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 30th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (71.43%).
- The Washington Capitals rank 1st in the league for goals per game this season (4.04).
- The Washington Capitals rank 4th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (83.72%).
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Washington Capitals Prediction
The Columbus Blue Jackets have played their best hockey at home this season, but it probably doesn’t matter. The Blue Jackets are a subpar team overall, and they’re getting drilled defensively during this losing stretch. The Capitals are 11-2-0 on the road this season, and they smoked the Caps a month ago by a score of 7-2. The Capitals have won 8 of the last 9 games against the Blue Jackets overall. The price is reasonable. Give me the Caps.
