As the Washington Capitals roll into Nationwide Arena riding a 9-0-1 streak against Columbus, Alex Ovechkin's 42-goal campaign and the Caps' league-second-best offense (3.59 goals per game) pose a serious threat to the Blue Jackets' slim playoff hopes.
The resurgent Blue Jackets, winners of their last two games, will need another stellar performance from goaltender Jet Greaves, who stopped 39 of 41 shots in their last outing, if they hope to overcome their 27th-ranked defense against Washington's potent attack.
All eyes will be on special teams Saturday afternoon when the Eastern Conference champion Columbus Blue Jackets host the Washington Capitals in a matchup that could either extend Washington's dominance in the series or breathe life into Columbus's fading postseason dreams.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Washington Capitals prediction: who will win?
For today's Columbus Blue Jackets vs Washington Capitals matchup, our predictive model gives the Caps a 80% chance of defeating the Blue Jackets.
Pre-game probabilities
Columbus Blue Jackets
Moneyline
Win %
20%
80%
Washington Capitals
Columbus Blue Jackets: 20% win probability
- Poor defensive record allowing 266 goals (3.41 goals against per game)
- Struggling in recent games with 3 losses in their last 5 matches (WWLLL form)
- 9th place standing in Eastern Conference with only 81 points in 78 games
Washington Capitals: 80% win probability
- League-leading 109 points in 78 games (1.4 points per game)
- Impressive 50-19 record, winning over 64% of their games
- Powerful offense with 282 goals scored (3.62 goals per game, among highest in league)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model combines insights from top NHL experts.
Instead of sifting through hundreds of expert analyses across the web, you can rely on our predictions to understand the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing predictions, data, and opinions, and our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. We then average these levels to produce an 'expert opinion' win probability—reflecting the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NHL experts.
| Columbus Blue Jackets | Washington Capitals | |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline |
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Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Washington Capitals preview
The red-hot Washington Capitals head to Nationwide Arena on Saturday afternoon looking to strengthen their grip on the Eastern Conference's top seed and potentially challenge Winnipeg for the NHL's best overall record.
Columbus enters the matchup with faint playoff hopes still alive, riding a modest two-game win streak after taking down Buffalo 3-2 in their last outing.
Washington's offensive firepower has been on full display lately, averaging 3.66 goals across their last three contests, with the ageless Alex Ovechkin continuing his legendary career with 42 goals this season.
The Blue Jackets' defensive struggles remain a concern - they're giving up 3.40 goals per game (27th in NHL) - which could spell trouble against a Capitals team that's converted an impressive 37% of their power play chances in recent games.
Recent history heavily favors the visitors, with Washington going 9-0-1 in their last ten meetings against Columbus and already leading this season's series 2-0.
Keep an eye on Columbus defenseman Zach Werenski (76 points) and Washington's Dylan Strome (77 points), who've been offensive catalysts for their respective squads all season.
The goaltending matchup likely features Washington's Charlie Lindgren (19-13-3) against Columbus' Jet Greaves, who impressed with 39 saves in his last start.
This feels like another uphill battle for the Blue Jackets, but with the stakes high for both teams - Washington chasing league supremacy and Columbus clinging to slim playoff hopes - expect an intense Saturday matinee showdown at Nationwide.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Washington Capitals form
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Washington Capitals head to head
Columbus Blue Jackets
17%
Washington Capitals
83%
Dec 13, 2024
Columbus Blue Jackets
1 : 2
Washington Capitals
Nov 2, 2024
Washington Capitals
7 : 2
Columbus Blue Jackets
Sep 30, 2024
Columbus Blue Jackets
2 : 3
Washington Capitals
Sep 27, 2024
Washington Capitals
4 : 8
Columbus Blue Jackets
Dec 22, 2023
Columbus Blue Jackets
2 : 3
Washington Capitals
Nov 19, 2023
Washington Capitals
4 : 3
Columbus Blue Jackets
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