Visiting squad seeks record-tying W
Tonight’s meeting between the Blue Jackets and Capitals promises to pack a little more punch than usual. There’s history at stake, after all.
Columbus will aim to tie the NHL record for consecutive wins when it confronts Alex Ovechkin & Co. at 7 p.m. ET. Online sports book Bovada.lv, however, gives Washington odds of -135 to take care of business at home. John Tortorella’s club enters Verizon Center as a +115 underdog.
The Blue Jackets dispatched Edmonton on Tuesday, 3-1, picking up victory No. 16 in a row. Where that tilt unfolded at Nationwide Arena, though, this evening’s festivities shift to a decidedly tougher environment. In fact, Columbus has prevailed in just two of the last seven trips to the nation’s capital.
Then again, Barry Trotz’s troops aren’t models of discipline at the moment. The Caps have racked up 22 penalties in the past three contests. In addition, All-Star goalie Braden Holtby allowed three tallies on eight shots and was pulled after the first period in a recent triumph over Toronto.
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Not so long ago, Washington stood atop the Metropolitan Division. Now Columbus is the group eyeing the 1992-93 Penguins’ storied streak. While we’re lukewarm on the visitors to win outright, they definitely should be able to stay within a goal.
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