Capitals vs. Blue Jackets Prediction
The Washington Capitals have rebounded with three straight wins in their series with the Columbus Blue Jackets to take a 3-2 lead? Can Washington close out the series tonight in Columbus?
Game Snapshot
19 Washington Capitals at 20 Columbus Blue Jackets
Monday, April 23, 2018
Nationwide Arena at 7:30PM ET
TV: CNBC
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Capitals are a -115 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Blue Jackets are a -105 underdog, while the total sits at 5.5 goals. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for up-to-date information.
Backstrom notches winner in OT
Four of the five games in this series have gone to at least one overtime, including Game 5 as Nicklas Backstrom scored the game-winner with 8:07 into overtime. Backstrom isn’t the first player you would expect to score a deciding goal as he is better known as being the main distributor for Alexander Ovechkin for the last number of years. But Backstrom did score 21 goals to go with his 50 assists during the regular season on the top line for the Capitals, so it isn’t too surprising. It was his second goal of the contest to go with an assist as big night earned him top star honors.
Holtby settling in as trusted goalie
Washington goaltender Braden Holtby said all the right things when he was benched in favor of Philipp Grubauer at the start of the series, but since taking over for an ineffective Grubauer he has helped turn it around for his team. Holtby was solid again in Game 5 as he gave up three goals on 42 shots for a .929 save percentage. After having a .907 save percentage during the regular season, he has upped that to .936 during the regular season as he is clearly motivated to prove his critics wrong and show he should have been in net from the start.
NHL Betting Trends
Washington
The Capitals are 7-0 in their last seven road games. The over is 4-1 in the last five Washington games following a win.
Columbus
The Blue Jackets are 0-6 in their last six games played on one day of rest. The road team is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
Prediction:
The Capitals have all the momentum on their side, although momentum is a funny thing in sports in that it exists only when the narrative fits. If Columbus wins Game 6, that word immediately goes to the other team. But I do trust Washington as it is comfortable and playing good now although certainly not out of the woods yet. As a small favorite on the road, I expect another strong game out of Holtby and maybe a goal or two out of Ovechkin to help seal it.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: WASHINGTON CAPITALS -115