The Washington Capitals (21-13-6) head to face the Columbus Blue Jackets (11-23-2) at Nationwide Arena on Thursday. Washington is coming off a high-scoring 5-4 overtime loss against the Sabres on Tuesday. The Capitals conceded a power play goal while failing to take advantage of their own limited power play opportunities.
Alex Ovechkin was the top goalscorer for the Capitals with two goals. Darcy Kuemper only had 24 saves on 29 shots against (.827%) in the loss. Columbus fell 4-0 to the Senators on Tuesday. Joonas Korpisalo only had 30 saves on 33 shots against (.909%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Capitals won three of the four games between the teams last season, including a 7-2 victory in their final meeting in March. Four players had two points for Washington. Patrik Laine and Oliver Bjorkstrand were on the scoresheet for Columbus. Vitek Vanecek got the win, saving 39 of 41 shots (.951%).
FACING OFF
Washington is averaging 3.28 goals per game for the season, 11th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Blue Jackets team that is allowing 3.92 goals a game (31st). Meanwhile, Columbus has found the net 2.61 times a game on average, 29th in the league, and the Capitals are allowing opponents to score 2.78 goals per game (9th).
The Blue Jackets’ 15.62% power play percentage is the fourth-worst in the league, while the Capitals rank 17th with a conversion rate of 21.71%. When it comes to defending power plays, Washington has the league’s 11th-ranked PK% at 80.87%, while Columbus is 18th at 77.97%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 47 points this season, ninth-most in the NHL, Ovechkin is the top skater for the Capitals. He is among the league leaders with 28 goals (3rd) and has added 19 assists. In the net, Kuemper (10-9-3) is Washington’s top goaltender by goals against average.
He has a 2.48 GAA and a .920% save percentage.Johnny Gaudreau leads the Blue Jackets in scoring with 37 points. He has 10 goals and 27 assists in 36 games. Korpisalo (5-6-1) has the best goals against average for Columbus at 3.13. He has a save percentage of .912%.
HOME AND AWAY
Washington is seeking a seventh consecutive win on the road this season. Columbus is 9-11-1 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Washington Capitals (-200)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
