Searching for best bets for the upcoming contest between the Washington Capitals and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday at 7:00 PM ET? You’ve found the right place. In the piece below, we offer our picks and predictions to help you make wise betting decisions for this matchup.

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Capitals vs. Blue Jackets Picks

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Total Pick

Pick OU: Over 6 (model projecting 6.9 goals)

• Washington and its opponent have hit the over on this game’s total (6 goals) 18 times this season.
• A total of 22 of Columbus’ games have finished with over 6 goals this season.
• The Capitals score 4.04 goals per game, compared to the Blue Jackets’ average of 3.39, adding up to 1.4 more goals than this contest’s total of 6.
• This game’s over/under is 0.3 less than the 6.4 goals these two teams give up per game combined.

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Moneyline Pick

Capitals Moneyline: -158

• The Capitals are 7-3 this season when listed as a moneyline favorite.
• In games it has played with moneyline odds of -158 or shorter, Washington is 2-2 (winning 50.0% of the time).
• The Capitals have a 61.2% chance (based on the moneyline’s implied probability) to win this contest.

Blue Jackets Moneyline: +132

• In 24 games as the underdog on the moneyline, Columbus has achieved the upset 10 times.
• The Blue Jackets have seven wins in games when their moneyline odds are +132 or longer (in 14 such games).
• Columbus’ implied probability to win this game is 43.1% based on the moneyline.

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Score Prediction

Prediction:
Washington 4, Columbus 3

Capitals Points Leaders

• Dylan Strome is one of Washington’s leading contributors this season with 35 points. He has averaged 0.3 goals per game, shooting 21.4%.
• Connor McMichael is another of Washington’s top contributors currently with 26 total points (15 goals and 11 assists) to his name.
• On 63 shots (for 15 goals) and 10 assists, Alexander Ovechkin has contributed 25 points this season.
• As Washington’s top goalie, Logan Thompson has recorded 11 wins and 1 loss this season while giving up 35 goals with 369 saves.

Blue Jackets Points Leaders

• Zachary Werenski’s nine goals and 20 assists in 28 contests give him 29 points on the season, making him a key part of his team’s offense.
• Kirill Marchenko is a top scorer for Columbus, with 27 total points this season. He has netted 10 goals and provided 17 assists in 28 games.
• Columbus’ Sean Monahan has 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists) this season.
• Elvis Merzlikins has a 9-8-2 record this season, with an .888 save percentage (51st in the league). In 19 games, he has 460 saves, and has conceded 58 goals (3.1 goals against average).

Capitals’ Schedule

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Blue Jackets’ Schedule

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Washington vs. Columbus Game Info

• Date: Thursday, December 12, 2024
• Time: 7:00 PM ET
• How to watch on TV: ESPN+
• Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
• Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
• Location: Columbus, Ohio
• Venue: Nationwide Arena

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