Washington Capitals vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 12/12/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Washington Capitals vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Thursday, December 12, 2024

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: NBC4 WCMH-TV

Odds/Point Spread: Capitals (-152) Blue Jackets (+126)

The Columbus Blue Jackets (12-13-3) will try to beat the Washington Capitals (19-6-2) at Nationwide Arena on Thursday. The line on this contest has Washington at -152 while Columbus is sitting at +126. The over/under is 6.

The Washington Capitals were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 4-2 win against the Canadiens in their previous contest . The Capitals had a solid offensive output and it showed in the victory. In the matchup, they earned a goal on 4 out of the 35 shots they tried. They also had 3 chances on the power play and netted 1 goal. Washington earned 4 penalty minutes for this contest.

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In relation to their scoring capabilities, the Washington Capitals have racked up 109 goals (2nd in the National Hockey League) on the year and have surrendered 74. For the current season, they have accumulated 40 points and their points % is .741. Washington has accumulated 85 power play chances and they have scored 18 goals during those advantages, garnering them a percentage of 21.18%. When at even strength, the Capitals let the opposition score 60 goals while having 91 themselves. Washington has taken 783 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 13.9%. The Capitals thus far have had 746 shots attempted against them and have a save percentage of .901. Washington Capitals opponents have totaled 86 power play opportunities (16th in hockey) and have scored 14 goals in those attempts.

The player in the crease for this game is Logan Thompson. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Thompson has recorded 64 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .587. His save percentage is .912 during his 5,957 mins on the ice. Thompson has had 3,405 shots against him and has accrued 3,106 total saves. Opponents have notched 299 goals against Thompson in his NHL career and his goals against rate is 3.01. He has compiled a record of 67-33-13 and he has started in 109 games. Thompson has participated in 117 contests during his professional hockey career.

In their last game, Columbus faced the Flyers in a matchup where the Blue Jackets went home in defeat by a score of 5-3. They had 2 power play chances in this game and recorded 1 out of those chances. The Blue Jackets netted 3 goals out of the 18 shots on goal they pursued.

Over the course of the season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have 95 goals, 27 points, in addition to a points percentage of .482. They have allowed 101 goals to be scored by of a combination of 75 goals at even strength and 26 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Blue Jackets have earned 82 goals at even strength and 13 goals (28th in professional hockey) while having more men on the ice. They have a total of 71 chances on the power play and they have a power play rate of 18.31%. Columbus has attempted 852 shots (9th in pro hockey) and has a shot percentage of 11.15%, while allowing their opponents 789 shots. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 71.43% on the other teams 91 chances on the power play, and their save percentage is 87.2%.

On the other side of the ice you are likely to see Elvis Merzlikins in net. He has recorded 5,721 saves out of 6,337 shots tried, giving him a save percentage of .903. Merzlikins is the owner of a lifetime record of 77-87-32 and has been in goal for 210 games. He has started in 196 games and has accumulated 10,497 mins. Merzlikins' rate of quality starts sits at 48.0% and he has accumulated 94 quality starting assignments in his pro hockey career. His opponents are averaging 3.52 goals per game and he has given up 616 goals altogether.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Washington (-152)

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