The Columbus Blue Jackets at Capital One Arena in Game 2 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The matchup gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 15, and you are able to catch it live on NBC Sports Network.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Washington Capitals Odds
Washington (+135) is currently the underdog to Washington (-155), and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -125 under, +105 over.
The Capitals are 49-34 straight up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 9.4 units this season. That winning percentage, ranked 1st in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, is a regression from the 55-27 record that the team posted during last year’s regular season campaign. Through 83 regular season contests, 47 of its games have gone over the total, while 34 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team’s 28-14 SU at home this year.
Washington’s converted on 22.8 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 16th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.9 percent of all penalties.
Washington, as a collective unit, has been penalized 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 3.0 per game over its last five contests at home. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 7.6 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.
With a .907 save percentage and 27.7 saves per game, Braden Holtby (34-20-4) has been the top option in goal for the Capitals this year. If the Caps decide to give him the night off, however, head coach Barry Trotz could turn to Philipp Grubauer (15-21-21 record, .921 save percentage, 2.39 goals against average).
The Caps will continue to lean on the leadership via Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Ovechkin (87 points) is up to 49 goals and 38 assists and has recorded two or more points on 24 different occasions this year. Kuznetsov has 29 goals and 56 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 50 contests.
On the other side of the ice, Columbus is 46-37 straight up (SU) and has earned 1.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 42 of its matches have gone over the total, while 40 have gone under and just one has pushed. Columbus’ 20-22 SU as a road team this season.
Columbus has converted on just 17.6 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that places it in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 27th overall and it’s successfully killed off 75.8 percent of all penalties.
Columbus’ skaters have been penalized only 3.1 times per game in total this season, and 3.8 per game over their past five games. The team has been forced to kill penalties 11.0 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Sergei Bobrovsky (28.2 saves per game) has been the main choice in the net for Columbus. Bobrovsky has 38 wins, 28 losses, and six overtime losses to his credit, and has registered a .920 save percentage and 2.43 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Blue Jackets, the offense will be facilitated through Artemi Panarin, who has 57 assists and 28 goals this season.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Washington Capitals Betting Predictions
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
The total has gone over in four of Washington’s last five games.
Columbus has attempted 33.6 shots per game overall this season (the second-most in the NHL), and 31.2 in its last 10 games.
Power-play opportunities may play a critical role in the outcome of this one. The Blue Jackets are 20-17 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 39-29 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Capitals are 16-11 when the team serves fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 28-18 in games where they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
Washington is ranked 14th overall this season with 7.2 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended higher lately, as it has created 7.8 takeaways over its last 10 games and 8.4 takeaways over its last five.
Columbus is ranked 12th in the league this season with 7.6 takeaways per game. That figure has trended higher lately, as it’s averaged 8.2 takeaways over its last 10 games and 8.2 takeaways over its last five.
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