Columbus Blue Jackets vs Washington Capitals Prediction, 11/18/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Washington Capitals

Date: Saturday, November 18, 2023

Location: Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

TV: Monumental Sports Network

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+140) Capitals (-188)

The Washington Capitals (8-4-2) will compete against the Columbus Blue Jackets (4-9-4) at Capital One Arena on Saturday. The moneyline on this contest has Columbus at +140 while Washington is at -188. The total has been set at 7.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will look to clean up some issues after taking a 3-2 defeat against the Coyotes in their previous game. Columbus recorded 4 mins in the box for this matchup. The Blue Jackets left a lot to be desired in terms of their offense in the loss. Moreover, they had 3 power play opportunities but weren't able to score a goal. For the game, they converted 2 of the 41 shots they tried.

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In reference to their goal scoring prowess, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accumulated 46 goals (22nd in pro hockey) this year and have surrendered 60. For the season, they have tallied 12 points and their points % is .353. Columbus has accounted for 53 power play opportunities and they have notched 6 goals during those advantages, garnering them a percentage of 11.32%. While playing at even strength, the Blue Jackets have allowed 54 goals while getting 40 of their own. Columbus has tried 528 shots and holds a shot percentage of 8.7%. The Blue Jackets so far have had 569 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .895. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have amassed 49 power play tries (26th in pro hockey) and have come away with 6 goals in those chances.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Elvis Merzlikins. The opposition has notched 463 goals versus Merzlikins in his career and his goals against average per game is 3.14. Merzlikins has been involved in 162 games throughout his hockey career. His save percentage is .906 in his 8,841 minutes in the crease. He has earned a win-loss mark of 58-67-25 and he has started in 149 games. In his professional hockey career, Merzlikins has earned 72 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is at .483. Merzlikins has had 4,907 shot attempts against him and has gathered 4,444 total saves.

In their last contest, Washington faced the Golden Knights in an outing where the Capitals ended up with the victory by a final of 3-0. They had 3 power play attempts in this one but weren't able to score a goal. The Capitals scored 3 goals of the 31 shots on goal they attempted.

The Capitals have tallied 30 goals at even strength and 3 goals (32nd in professional hockey) while having more men on the ice. Washington has attempted 410 shots (30th in hockey) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 8.05%, while allowing the other team 422 shots. During this campaign, the Washington Capitals have a total of 33 goals, 18 points, as well as a points percentage of .643. They have allowed 37 goals to be scored by of a combination of 30 goals at even strength and 7 goals while they were shorthanded. They have earned 41 power play chances and they have a power play rate of 7.32%. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 83.33% on the other teams 42 tries on the power play, and their save percentage comes in at 91.2%.

On the other side of the ice you will find Darcy Kuemper in goal. He has accrued 9,513 stops out of the 10,390 shots taken, which gives him a save % of .916. Kuemper is the owner of a career mark of 168-124-45 and has been in goal for 364 games. He has been a starter 346 contests and has racked up 20,571 minutes. Kuemper's quality start rate sits at 54.9% and he has made 190 quality starting assignments in his pro hockey career. Opponents are averaging 2.56 goals/game and he has conceded 877 goals in total.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Columbus (+140)

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