Washington Capitals vs Columbus Blue Jackets Picks and Predictions November 2nd 2024

Washington Capitals vs Columbus Blue Jackets November 2nd 2024

Betting on today’s Blue Jackets and Capitals game? Catch the action at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, as the Capitals hosts this showdown at 5:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under for this Metropolitan division contest is set at 6.5 goals, with the Capitals being favored by -1.5 at home against the Blue Jackets.

Columbus vs. Washington Key Information

After a 6-2 loss to the Jets, the Blue Jackets now sit at 5-4-1 this season. Going into the game, Columbus was the underdog on the puck line, with the total set at 6.5 goals. The combined 8 goals surpassed that line.

Columbus tied the game at 1-1 in the first period, but the Jets pulled away with five unanswered goals. Sean Kuraly and Sean Monahan each scored for the Blue Jackets in the loss.

Sean Kuraly netted his second goal of the season, while Sean Monahan added his sixth, which came on a power play in the second period. The Blue Jackets took 22 shots on goal and recorded 17 giveaways.

James van Riemsdyk earned his third assist on Kuraly’s goal, and Zach Werenski picked up his sixth assist on Monahan’s power-play goal. Kirill Marchenko also contributed with his eighth assist of the season.

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Defensively, the Blue Jackets will look to bounce back after allowing 6 goals to the Jets. Columbus had pulled within 3-2 late in the 2nd period, but they gave up four unanswered goals, including two in the 3rd. Goalie Elvis Merzlikins made 38 saves with an 86.4% save percentage, while the defense added 5 takeaways and 20 hits.

With a 6-3 win over the Canadiens, the Capitals improved to 7-2-0 this season. Washington covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 9 goals easily surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5 goals.

All six of Washington’s goals came from different players. The game was tied 3-3 after the second period, but the Capitals pulled away with three unanswered goals in the third.

Washington’s offense took 34 shots on goal in their 6-3 win over Montreal, with six different players finding the net. Alex Ovechkin scored his 5th goal of the season and added two assists, bringing his assist total to 5. Aliaksei Protas netted his 3rd goal and picked up his 6th assist, while Dylan Strome earned his 9th and 10th assists.

After a scoreless first period, Tom Wilson opened the scoring with his 6th goal, which came on a power play. Brandon Duhaime added his first goal of the season, and Trevor van Riemsdyk contributed with his 5th and 6th assists. The Capitals recorded 14 giveaways in the game.

Defensively, the Capitals will look to carry their momentum from the 3rd period of their previous game, where they didn’t allow a goal. However, they struggled in the 2nd period, giving up 3 goals, including one at the 18:00 mark. Charlie Lindgren finished with 12 saves and a save percentage of 80.0%.

If you’re considering a direct moneyline bet, the Capitals is the choice to make. However, with a payout of -217, you might want to use this bet as a building block for a parlay.

If you’re looking for a puck line bet, I’d suggest going with the Blue Jackets to cover. Even in the event of a Capitals victory, this game is expected to be closely fought, and the Blue Jackets should cover the puck line.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 6.5 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

Capitals Aim to Keep October Momentum Rolling Against Blue Jackets

The Washington Capitals are set to open November on a high note as they welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets to town. Fresh off a strong October, during which they went 7-2-0, the Capitals are eyeing consistency as they look to extend their winning ways. Columbus, meanwhile, will try to rebound from a tough loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Friday that snapped their own point streak.

Capitals’ Consistency and Balanced Scoring Fuel Success

The Capitals have found their rhythm early this season, putting together five straight wins after dropping their season opener and most recently securing consecutive victories over the New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens. Washington forward Tom Wilson highlighted the importance of their focused approach:

“Consistency is huge; it’s everything,” Wilson noted. “After you lose a game, you’ve got to make sure you get right back on the horse.”

Compared to last season, the Capitals’ offense is firing on all cylinders. They struggled last season with a mere 2.63 goals per game, ranking 28th in the league. This year, they’re averaging 4.11 goals per game, placing them third in the NHL. This offensive upswing has been led by a combination of zone control and improved shot generation. “Our (offensive) zone time is significantly higher than last year,” Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery explained. “We’re threatening the net more and doing things that are leading to more shots and more (offensive) zone time.”

Dylan Strome, Alex Ovechkin, and Connor McMichael have each hit double digits in points, showcasing the team’s depth. Wilson leads the Capitals with six goals, while Ovechkin and McMichael each have five. This balanced scoring approach has allowed the Capitals to maintain a high level of play and keep their opponents guessing.

Blue Jackets’ Unexpectedly Strong Start

The Blue Jackets have surprised many with their competitive 5-4-1 start to the season. Columbus was riding a four-game point streak before being tripped up by the Jets on Friday. Despite the loss, head coach Dean Evason has been pleased with the team’s overall performance, saying, “You’re not going to win every game, but you just continue to play winning hockey in different ways and you get rewarded.”

One of the most notable stories for Columbus has been the breakout of Mathieu Olivier, a player traditionally known more for his physical style than his scoring touch. Olivier has already scored four goals this season, just one short of his career high. This newfound scoring prowess has earned him an expanded role on the team. “He’s not just a guy that goes out and fights and hits,” Evason said. “He’s got hands…he’s earned the opportunity to play more and in an elevated role, and he’s excelling at it.”

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Key Matchup: Capitals’ Offense vs. Blue Jackets’ Resilience

Saturday’s game will likely come down to whether Columbus can hold off Washington’s high-powered offense. With a balanced attack and growing confidence, the Capitals will test the Blue Jackets’ resolve, while Columbus will look to players like Olivier to capitalize on scoring chances and keep them in the game.

As both teams seek to build momentum, this clash promises to showcase two squads with something to prove, making it a compelling matchup in the Eastern Conference.