Nationwide Arena is the site for this NHL matchup between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the visiting Washington Capitals on Friday. Both teams have picked up seven wins and each looks like a playoff contender.
The game is set to begin at 7 p.m. ET and the Washington Capitals are the betting favorites at -125. The over/under is set at 5½ goals.
Washington Capitals at Columbus Blue Jackets
The Metropolitan Division rivals are trailing the Carolina Hurricanes in the division race, but each team is trending in the right direction.
Washington comes into this game with 18 points and has also won two straight games. The Capitals are a veteran team that knows how to win hockey games and they have shown that this season.
Columbus has now won three straight games, and is starting to climb up the rankings. The Blue Jackets have posted a 7-3-0 record through 10 games and are in 5th place with 14 points.
Capitals Cruising on Offense
The Washington Capitals continue to overwhelm opponents with their relentless offense, averaging 3.38 goals per game. Washington has also allowed just 2.46 goals but it has dominated some weaker teams.
Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov have been the leaders of this offense, but there is plenty of depth as well. Ovechkin leads the way with 11 goals and 22 points while Kuznetsov has a team-high 12 assists.
In the Capitals’ 5-3 win against Buffalo Sabres on Monday, Ovechkin scored his 741st goal off a deflected shot, tying Brett Hull for fourth all time on the career list.
“It’s nice to be in that company,” Ovechkin said.” “It’s pretty big numbers so just move on. Obviously, it’s nice to be tied, but I still have a couple games left.”
The Capitals have used three different goaltenders and all three have done their part. Washington is a team that usually gives up some great chances on offense, and that could eventually be its undoing, making it a far less appealing NHL betting option.
Blue Jackets Surprising Teams
Columbus has scored 11 total goals in its last three games, and that has come against two solid opponents. This was supposed to be a down year for the Blue Jackets, but they continue to surprise teams during this run.
Oliver Bjorkstrand leads the team with 13 points but this is a team that has a ton of balance. The Blue Jackets are scoring just 3.1 goals per game, but they are trending in the right direction.
Elvis Merzlikins sees most of the action in the net and he has been one of the best in the NHL this season. Merzlikins is giving up less than two goals per game, and he should put together another great performance in this one.
Columbus Wins Fourth Straight
As the online sports betting odds suggest, this game should feature a ton of goals as both offenses are coming into this game red-hot. The Blue Jackets have been getting better goaltending play, and that’s going to play a key role in this game.
There are a number of good NHL games taking place on Friday night and plenty of fixtures to bet online on, but this one should shape up to be the best. A late goal is going to be the difference, and it should be scored by the home team.
Columbus comes into this game with a ton of momentum and will leave this matchup in the same fashion. Take the Columbus Blue Jackets +110 as they pick up another impressive victory.
