The Washington Capitals (26-20-6) play the 2nd contest in a 3-game road trip on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets (15-32-3). Puck drop at Nationwide Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Capitals vs. Blue Jackets odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Capitals were roughed up in Toronto to start the road trip Sunday, falling 5-1. Washington has los 3 of the last 4 games, while the Under is 3-1-1 in the previous 5 outings.
The Blue Jackets have dropped 2 straight, including 3-1 last time out on Saturday in Seattle as the Under connected.
Columbus lost 1-0 in Washington on Jan. 8. In the season’s 1st meeting, the Caps won 6-2 in Ohio on Jan. 5.
Capitals at Blue Jackets odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub Lines last updated at 8:07 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Capitals -210 (bet $210 to win $100) | Blue Jackets +180 (bet $100 to win $180)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Capitals -1.5 (+120) | Blue Jackets +1.5 (-140)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +105 | U: -115)
Capitals at Blue Jackets projected goalies
Darcy Kuemper (15-14-4, 2.62 GAA, .915 SV%, 5 SO) vs. Joonas Korpisalo (8-9-2, 3.32 GAA, .909 SV%)
Kuemper was knocked around for 4 goals on just 20 shots in Toronto Sunday before getting pulled midway through the 2nd period. He is 2-0-0 with a 1.00 GAA and .969 SV% in his 2 starts against the Jackets this season, including a 38-save shutout on Jan. 8 in D.C.
Korpisalo was punished for 5 goals on 34 shots in a loss at Vancouver on Friday. He is 3-3-1 with a 3.64 GAA and .904 SV% in 7 starts in January. Korpisalo has yet to face the Capitals this season.
Capitals at Blue Jackets picks and predictions
Prediction
Capitals 3, Blue Jackets 1
Moneyline
The Capitals (-210) will cost you more than 2 times your potential return, and that’s a little too expensive, especially on the road, even with Washington winning the1st 2 meetings this season.
PASS.
Puck line/Against the spread
The CAPITALS -1.5 (+120) are a decent play on the puck line, but Washington comes with plenty of risk.
As a favorite, Washington is 1-5 in the last 6 games against the puck line, including 3 straight up losses.
However, the Blue Jackets +1.5 (-140) are just 6-21 in the last 27 games against Metropolitan Division teams, while going just 8-24 in the last 32 when playing on 2 days of rest.
Over/Under
The UNDER 6.5 (-115) is a strong play.
The Under is 3-1-2 in the last 6 games overall for the Caps, while going 4-1 in the last 5 against teams with a losing record. The Under is 9-3 in the last 12 inside the Metropolitan Division, too.
For the Jackets, it’s all about the Over lately, especially at home, although the Under is 10-3-1 in the last 14 games when their opponent scores 2 or fewer goals in the previous outing.
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