Washington Capitals vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 3/17/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Washington Capitals vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Thursday, March 17, 2022

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Bally Sports Ohio

Odds/Point Spread: Capitals (-188) Blue Jackets (+155)

The Washington Capitals (32-18-10) are traveling to Nationwide Arena on Thursday where they will meet the Columbus Blue Jackets (30-27-3). The line on this matchup has Washington at -188 and Columbus is sitting at +155. The over/under is 7.

The Washington Capitals came out of this game feeling pretty good about themselves with a 4-3 win against the Canucks their last time out. The Capitals had a good offensive performance in this victory. In the outing, they scored on 4 out of the 34 shots they attempted. Furthermore, they had 3 power play opportunities and scored 2 goals. Washington accounted for 6 minutes in the box in this matchup.

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Washington Capitals opponents have tallied 165 power play tries (24th in the NHL) and have scored 32 goals in those attempts. The Capitals have had 1,750 shots tried against them and have a save percentage of .905. Washington has attempted 1,873 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 10.4%. While at even strength, the Capitals have allowed the opponent to score 135 goals while earning 161 on offense. Washington is sitting with 183 power play opportunities and they have added 34 goals out of those tries, earning them a rate of 18.58%. For the current campaign, they have 74 points and their points % is .617. With regard to scoring goals, the Washington Capitals have earned 195 goals (10th in the National Hockey League) on the season and have conceded 167.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Vitek Vanecek. Opponents have tallied 157 goals versus Vanecek in his professional hockey career and his goals against rate is 2.55. Vanecek has taken the ice for 66 contests over the course of his NHL career. His save percentage is at .912 for his 3,701 mins between the pipes. He has earned a record of 35-17-9 and he has gotten the start in 63 games. Over the course of his time in hockey, Vanecek has earned 30 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .476. Vanecek has seen 1,786 shot attempts taken against him and he has 1,629 saves.

In their last game, Columbus faced the Golden Knights in a matchup where the Blue Jackets ended up with the victory by a final of 6-4. They had 3 power play opportunities in this outing and tallied 1 goal out of those attempts. The Blue Jackets netted 6 goals of the 38 shots on goal they pursued.

For the year, the Columbus Blue Jackets have tallied 195 goals, 63 points, as well as a points percentage of .525. They have allowed 220 goals to be scored by of a combination of 184 goals at even strength and 36 goals while they were shorthanded. The Blue Jackets are sitting with 167 goals at even strength and 28 goals (27th in the NHL) while having more men on the ice. They have a total of 153 opportunities on the power play and they have accumulated a power play rate of 18.30%. Columbus has attempted 1,786 shots (19th in professional hockey) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 10.92%, while allowing the other team 2,136 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 79.19% on their opponents 173 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage currently sits at 89.7%.

For the opposition you will find Elvis Merzlikins defending the goal. His opposition is averaging 2.89 goals per game and he has allowed 264 goals altogether. Merzlikins' percentage of quality starts comes out to 51.1% and he has qualified for 47 quality starts in his NHL career. He has made the start in 92 games and has played 5,476 minutes. Merzlikins holds a career record of 42-36-16 and has been in net for 100 games. He has racked up 2,746 stops out of the 3,010 shots tried, giving him a save percentage of .912.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take Washington (-188)

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