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Charlie Grant
Blue Jackets vs. Capitals: Game 2 Prediction, NHL Playoffs Odds
The Capitals look to rebound from a disappointing overtime loss to the Blue Jackets on Thursday and tie the series up with a win on Sunday on their home ice in this NHL matchup. Columbus will have about an 85 percent chance of winning the series if it goes up 2-0 according to Stanley Cup playoff history.
Blue Jackets vs. Capitals Betting Analysis
Columbus hit the over for a seventh straight game thanks to its late-game heroics. The Blue Jackets have won 14 of their last 18 games and are averaging 4.1 goals scored per game over the same stretch. They improved to 3-1 in postseason overtime games and remain 1-11 in playoff games ending in regulation time.
Thursday’s result was tough to swallow for the Caps but they are still 90-37 straight up in their last 127 home games. Washington crowd should be lively and vocal for Game 2. The Capitals are 3-1 straight up in their last four Game 2s coming off a loss in Game 1.
About 73 percent of Sports Interaction bettors are backing Washington to win on Sunday while 63 percent expect the game to go under the 5.5-goal total.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Game 1 was a huge result for Columbus but it didn’t come without cost. Alexander Wennberg took a hit to head in the third period and will not play in Game 2 – and maybe more games to follow – while he recovers. Wenneberg is a big loss for Columbus. He centred the second line between wingers Thomas Vanek and Boone Jenner that had been really effective down the stretch. The three forwards combined for 39 points in 17 games last month.
Washington Capitals
Washington received some good news on the injury front. The Caps could get checking centre Jay Beagle back in time for Game 2. He missed Game 1 because of an undisclosed upper-body injury but practiced on Saturday with the team.
He’s normally the first choice for faceoffs in the defensive zone where the Capitals lost 10 of 11 draws in the third period that lead to two Columbus goals.
