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Caps vs Blue Jackets

December 16, 2019, 3:59 PM ET [12 Comments]
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Vegas Odds:

Money Line: Caps: -154, Jackets: +125

Spread: Caps -1.5 (+170), Jackets +1.5 (-209)


Three Keys to the Game:

1. Injuries – The Jackets are fairly beat up right now. Josh Anderson, Sonny Milano, and Ryan Murray are all questionable. Zach Werenski will pretty much be out the remainder of December and Emil Bemstrom is also out. The Rookie Bemstrom has provided a nice offensive spark and timely goals for a team so desperately seeking consistent point production. Former Blue Jacket Marko Dano will be suiting up for the CBJ for the first time since 2015. He was traded to Chicago as part of the Saad deal. He has 12 points (3 G, 9 A) in 25 games with the Monsters this season. The Capitals are fully healthy and have had a few games to get adjusted to the new lines since Backstrom and Hagelin came back last week. Advantage: CAPS

2. Road Success – The Capitals are hands down the best road team in the league at 15-2-1. The 5-2 win @ Tampa Bay on Saturday extended their win streak to five games on the road. This success has been in large part anchored by the Capitals ability to score. They rank #1 on the road with 3.67 goals/game. On the other end, the Columbus Blue Jackets are 10th worst in the league with 3.40 goals allowed/game at home. The Capitals are #2 in the league for road Power Play percentage at 26.4% while the Jackets home PK is ranked 20th. Something else to keep an eye on is the CBJ 21st ranked PP at home. The Capitals are 5th worst in the league in taking penalties so if the trend continues, a medicore PP unit from the Jackets will have its chances. The Capitals are 7th best in the league on road PK. Advantage: CAPS

3. Revenge – After sweeping the west coast teams for the first time in franchise history, the Capitals returned home jet-lagged and appeared to be sleep walking in their first game with the Blue Jackets of the season. The Capitals entered that game on a seven-game win streak and the Jackets on a four-game losing streak. I don’t believe teams take nights off in the NHL as every opponent is a tough out but I think the Capitals thought they could coast to a win and that certainly was NOT the case. That loss to the CBJ is the only blemish in otherwise PERFECT December for the boys in red. They are 5-1 in December and are back to full health. I expect the Capitals to absolutely destroy the Blue Jackets tonight. Just like the playoffs two years ago, the Capitals let their guard down at first but will rebound to put the CBJ in their place. That place is further and further down the standings in the Metro. Even though this isn’t a tangible measurable, I am stilling going Advantage: CAPS

Prediction: Capitals 5, Blue Jackets 2

Caps +170 to cover the spread is a LOCK

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Brian Sickles
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