The Washington Capitals (21-13-6) meet the Columbus Blue Jackets (11-23-2) Thursday at Nationwide Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Capitals vs. Blue Jackets odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Capitals were on the short end of a 5-4 overtime loss at home Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres, although Washington is 6-0-2 in the last 8 games overall. The Over has cashed in each of the last 3 games, with Washington averaging 5.33 goals per game (GPG) during the span.
The Blue Jackets were blanked at Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, falling 4-0 as the Under connected for a 3rd consecutive game. Columbus slipped to just 1-8 in the last 9 games.
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Capitals at Blue Jackets odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:14 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Capitals -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | Blue Jackets +170 (bet $100 to win $170)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Capitals -1.5 (+125) | Blue Jackets +1.5 (-150)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
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Capitals at Blue Jackets projected goalies
Darcy Kuemper (10-9-4, 2.58 GAA, .916 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (4-8-0, 4.68 GAA, .864 SV%)
Kuemper coughed up 5 goals on 29 shots in a 5-4 OT loss against the Sabres at home Tuesday, and he has allowed 9 goals on 74 shots in the last 2 starts, both overtime losses. Still, he hasn’t lost in regulation in 9 straight starts since Nov. 19.
Merzlikins conceded 3 goals on 25 shots in a loss at Florida on Dec. 13 last time out. He missed time due to COVID-19, and his return from the illness comes at a great time. The team recently lost Daniil Tarasov to an upper-body ailment.
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Capitals at Blue Jackets picks and predictions
Prediction
Capitals 4, Blue Jackets 2
Moneyline
Capitals (-200) is a little too expensive for my liking, especially on the road. The Blue Jackets (+170) are hot trash lately, going just 6-21 in the past 27 games against Eastern Conference teams, while going 5-17 in the previous 22 games against Metropolitan Division foes.
PASS.
Puck line/Against the spread
The CAPITALS -1.5 (+125) are a better play on the puck line, as Washington’s last 3 wins since Dec. 23 have been by at least 3 goals, with an average margin of victory by 4.67 GPG.
On the flip side, the Blue Jackets +1.5 (-150) have been outscored 31-14 across the last 9 games, winning just once.
Over/Under
UNDER 6.5 (-120) has connected in 7 of the last 10 games on the road for the Capitals, while cashing in 6 straight games inside the Metropolitan Division.
The Under is also 8-for-8 in the previous 8 games for the Jackets against teams with a winning record, while going 14-4 in the last 18 games overall.
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