After falling into an 0-2 hole to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Washington Capitals have won two straight and head back to the nation’s capital looking to grab a lead in the first-round series. The Jackets are an OVER machine when playing on the road. In the Blue Jackets’ past 12 road games, the OVER is 12-0 with an average combined score of 7.6 goals.
Sportsbook opened the Caps as -164 home favorites with a total of 5.5.
Following a guarantee from team captain Alex Ovechkin, Washington’s top line showed up in a big way in Thursday’s 4-1 victory at Nationwide Arena thanks to a goal and three assists from Evgeny Kuznetsov and a third straight multi-point performance from Ovechkin. Defenseman John Carlson followed up a career-best 68 points in the regular season (15 goals, 53 assists) with an NHL-high seven of his eight points coming on the power play in the series.
The good news for Blue Jackets bettors is the road team has won every game of the series so far. Cam Atkinson and Artemi Panarin saw their respective 12 and eight-game point streaks come to an end on Thursday, with the latter collecting two penalties. Columbus center Alexander Wennberg skated on Friday morning but is uncertain to play in Game 5 due to an upper-body injury.
The Capitals continue to cash OVER bets, as the Caps have gone above the total in five of their past seven games.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
If you're backing the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets in this one, they Blue Jackets listed earlier today as underdogs of 130 at most sportsbooks, including Sportsbook. Those over/under total betting saw the number open in the area of 5.5, depending on the book.
Handicapping models based on recent betting stats and prediction formulas pick a 4-2.1 win for the Capitals. 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
51-26-9 Washington battles the Blue Jackets, currently with a 47-31-8 mark. The OVER/UNDER records, important for totals bettors, are 48-36-2 for the Capitals and 43-43 for the Blue Jackets. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Washington vs Columbus injuries news.
This game matches up the No. 7 (Washington Capitals) and the No. 6 (Columbus Blue Jackets) teams according to our current NHL Power Rankings.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Washington's No. 9-ranked offense, averaging 3.17 goals per game, against a Blue Jackets defense that ranks No. 10 at 2.84 goals allowed. The Capitals power play is averaging 23.57% while the Blue Jackets defense kills off 75.11% of their penalties.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Next Betting Matchups
Columbus home to Washington, Monday, April 23rd