The Washington Capitals will look to avoid going down 0-2 in their first-round series when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets in Game 2 tonight. The Caps lost 4-3 in overtime on Thursday but could be a great candidate to rebound as Washington is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games at home and won five straight at Capital One Arena vs the Blue Jackets prior to the Game 1 loss.
- The Blue Jackets are 2-6 SU in their last eight games vs the Capitals.
- The total has gone OVER in the Blue Jackets' last seven games.
- The Capitals are 20-8 SU in their last 28 games vs their division at home.
The Capitals were off to a great start in Game 1 when Evgeni Kuznetzov scored two power-play goals and paced Washington to an early lead. But the Caps gave up two goals in the second period to let the Blue Jackets back in the game, which was uncharacteristic for Washington when you consider it only allowed 2.5 goals per game at home all season (ranked 7th).
Goaltender Philipp Grubauer gave up four goals on 27 shots but the Caps will go back with him in net and leave Braden Holtby on the bench. While Grubauer may not have the postseason experience (two career playoff starts) that Holtby has, it’s worth noting the German netminder won seven of his last nine starts going into the playoffs and held teams to 2.4 goals per game in that span.
The Blue Jackets continue to surprise after being left for dead in mid-February. Columbus was 7-2 SU and ATS in its last nine road games going into the postseason and its defense was a calling card since the all-star break, holding teams to 2.7 goals per game.
In Game 1, the Blue Jackets took some silly penalties in the first period which allowed the Caps to get the edge but goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky shut the door for the remainder of the game. The reigning Vezina Trophy Sportsbook stopped 27 of 30 shots that came his way in the Sportsbook game and could be the X-factor going forward for Columbus.
The total opened at 5.5 and trends are pointing to an OVER. The OVER has hit in 11 of the Capitals last 13 games at home vs teams with winning records. When you factor in the OVER has hit in the last three games in this matchup (average combined score 6.5 goals), it could be another high-scoring affair in Washington.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Washington Capitals were listed earlier today as -162 moneyline favorites at most sportsbooks tracked by Odds Shark (including Sportsbook), while odds makers set the Sportsbook betting total around 5.5.
Odds Shark computer prediction handicapping models run on this game pick a 2.9-2.7 victory for the Blue Jackets. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Washington Capitals Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Supporters of the Columbus Blue Jackets have seen them go 46-30-7 so far this season, while the Capitals are at 49-26-8. In totals betting, the Washington Capitals are 47-34-2, while the Blue Jackets are 42-41. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Washington vs Columbus injuries news.
This game puts the Washington Capitals, most recently No. 7 in the Odds Shark NHL Power Rankings, up against the Columbus Blue Jackets, who rate a No. 6 in the latest survey.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Washington Capitals No. 9-ranked offense (3.16 goals per game) against a Columbus Blue Jackets defense that ranks No. 10 at 2.81 goals per game allowed. The Capitals Sportsbook has clicked at a 22.89% rate while the Blue Jackets have a 75.8% rate on the penalty kill.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Blue Jackets were a 4-3 Sportsbook in their most recent outing on the road against the Capitals. That made Sportsbooks of bettors who got Columbus at +133 on the moneyline, while the total score (7) was good news for OVER bettors.
- Columbus is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
- Columbus is 14-4 SU in its last 18 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Columbus's last 5 games
- Columbus is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
- Washington is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games
- Washington is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
- Washington is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Columbus home to Washington, Tuesday, April 17th
