A couple of teams that have put themselves firmly in the playoff picture, the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Washington Capitals face off at Capital One Arena. The opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 12, and you can catch this Metro Division matchup live on NBC Sports Washington.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Washington Capitals Odds
Moneyline odds have not yet been posted for this matchup.
The Capitals are 27-16 straight-up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 7.3 units this year. That win percentage, the NHL’s fifth-best so far in the early season, is right in line with what the team managed during last year’s regular season (49-33). Through 43 regular season contests, 22 of its games have gone over the total, while 18 have gone under and just three have pushed. The team’s 13-8 SU at home this year.
Washington’s converted on 21.2 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 22nd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.1 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Washington has been penalized 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 5.0 per game over its last five matchups. The team’s had to kill penalties for 10.4 minutes per game over its last five home outings.
Boasting a .912 save percentage and 28.8 saves per game, Braden Holtby (17-13-3) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Capitals this season. If they choose to give him a rest, however, head coach Todd Reirden might turn to Pheonix Copley (11-4-4 record, .916 save percentage, 2.59 goals against average).
The Caps will continue seeking offensive production via Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. Ovechkin (49 points) has tallied 32 goals and 17 assists and has recorded two or more points 12 times this year. Backstrom has 11 goals and 34 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 28 games.
Columbus has earned moneyline bettors 0.3 units this year and is currently 25-18 straight up (SU). A total of 22 of its games have gone under the total, while 17 have gone over and just four have pushed. Columbus’ 13-8 SU as the road team this season.
Columbus has converted on just 14.2 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that places it in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 12th overall and it’s successfully killed off 80.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
Columbus’ players have been called for penalties only 3.1 times per game this season, and 2.0 per game over their last five on the road. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 7.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Sergei Bobrovsky (25.8 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Columbus. Bobrovsky owns an 18-14-1 record, and has registered a .906 save percentage and 2.87 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Blue Jackets, the offense will be facilitated through Artemi Panarin (15 goals, 32 assists) and Cam Atkinson (24 goals, 19 assists).
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Washington Capitals Betting Predictions
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The total has gone over in three of Columbus’ last five games.
- Columbus has attempted 32.0 shots per contest overall this season (ranked 14th in the NHL), and 29.6 in its last 10 outings.
- Washington has scored 4.0 goals per game and allowed just 2.3 across its three-game win streak.
- Over Washington’s last ten outings, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 4-2 in those games).
- Columbus skaters registered 21.8 hits per game last season, while the Capitals logged 24.2 hits per contest.
