by Rod Pearson
Thursday, Oct 23, 2025
Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Friday, October 24, 2025
Venue: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Capitals -120, Blue Jackets +100; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Capitals -120, Blue Jackets +100; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Capitals -115, Blue Jackets -105; Over/Under: 6 goals
Season Record
Washington Capitals: 5-2-0 (4th place, Metropolitan Division)
Columbus Blue Jackets: 3-3-0 (7th place, Metropolitan Division)
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Recent Form
Washington Capitals: 5-2-0 last 7
Columbus Blue Jackets: 3-3-0 last 6
Washington Capitals vs Columbus Blue Jackets Preview and Analysis
The Capitals are entering this game with 10 points, a 5-2-0 record overall, and they are 2-0-0 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Seattle Kraken in their last game, winning that one at home 4-1. Nic Dowd, Jakob Chychrun, Ryan Leonard, and Tom Wilson each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Aliaksei Protas led the team in assists with 2 while Tom Wilson led the team in shots on net in that game with 5. Logan Thompson was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 1 goal on 19 shots with 18 saves and a .947 save percentage. Their offense has scored 21 goals this season averaging 3 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 13 goals against them allowing 1.9 goals per game.
The Blue Jackets are entering this game with 6 points, a 3-3-0 record overall, and they are 1-2-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Dallas Stars in their last game, winning that one on the road 5-1. Adam Fantilli, Boone Jenner, Kent Johnson, Denton Mateychuk, and Dmitri Voronkov each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Adam Fantilli, Boone Jenner, Kent Johnson, Charlie Coyle, Damon Severson, Kirill Marchenko, Sean Monahan, and Zach Aston-Reese each led the team in assists with 1 while Adam Fantilli, Dmitri Voronkov, Kirill Marchenko, and Ivan Provorov each led the team in shots on net in that game with 3. Elvis Merzļikins was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 1 goal on 23 shots with 22 saves and a .957 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 19 goals this season averaging 3.2 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 16 goals against them allowing 2.7 goals per game.
Capitals vs Blue Jackets Prediction
The current betting odds have the Capitals listed as a slight favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Capitals have looked great in their games this season with their 5-2-0 record overall which has them in the top half of their division in the East. They have been a good road team so far too with their 2-0-0 road record this year. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets haven't looked great in their games this season with their 3-3-0 record overall which has them right near the bottom of their division in the East. They have looked worse on home ice too with their 1-2-0 home record this year. They are off a 5-1 road win over the Stars in their last one and they looked great in that win, but they haven't been a consistent team to start the season and they aren't a powerhouse in the East either. The Capitals are off to a really hot start and they were one of the best teams in the entire NHL during the regular season last year. The Capitals are still going strong with their hot start and they will be looking to take advantage of a Blue Jackets team that has been really up and down. Both teams have been scoring goals lately, but the Capitals do have the better defense, giving up less goals than Columbus with more games played, so that will give the Capitals the edge in this one. The best way to place a bet here is on the Capitals to win this game.
Capitals Blue Jackets Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Friday, October 24, 2025 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Capitals 3 Blue Jackets 2.
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NHL Betting Trends
Washington Capitals: 101-84 (+17.9 units) on the moneyline in all games. 29-15 (+9.7 units) on the moneyline when the money line is -100 to -150. 49-52 (+8 units) on the moneyline against explosive offensive teams - scoring 3+ goals/game. 22-14 OVER against poor defensive teams - 29 shots on goal or more, convert 17% pp or more.
Columbus Blue Jackets: 26-41 (-5.2 units) on the moneyline off a win in their previous game. 7-20 (-7.3 units) on the moneyline against good starting goalies - saving 91.5% of shots against or more. 28-54 (-5.3 units) on the moneyline against good offensive teams - averaging 29.5+ shots on goal per game. 25-16 OVER at home after playing a road game.
Key Injuries
Washington Capitals: R. Sandin (D) Day To Day - Upper-body. P. Dubois (LW) Day To Day - Lower-body.
Columbus Blue Jackets: E. Gudbranson (D) Day To Day - Upper-Body. M. Wood (LW) Out - Upper-body.
Notable Quotes
“I liked our start a lot. We challenged our group a little bit and the guys knew just based on what went on on Sunday that we wanted to have a better start. It was a little bit sloppy at times, but the first period was good, the second period was even better.” - Spencer Carbery after his team’s win against the Kraken in their game on Tuesday.
“We didn’t give up a whole lot. They’re a tricky team to play against. Their [defense] get involved a lot, they go down the backside, and I thought that we handled that really well. Obviously, they’ve got some special players that we were able to play the right way and not give up those big scoring opportunities.” - Dean Evason after his team’s win against the Stars in their game on Tuesday.
Starting Lineups
Washington Capitals
LW Alex Ovechkin
C Dylan Strome
RW Anthony Beauvillier
LD Martin Fehervary
RD John Carlson
G Logan Thompson
Columbus Blue Jackets
LW Dmitri Voronkov
C Sean Monahan
RW Kirill Marchenko
LD Zach Werenski
RD Denton Mateychuk
G Elvis Merzlikins
Statistical Leaders
Washington Capitals
Points: Tom Wilson (10)
Goals: Tom Wilson (4)
Assists: Dylan Strome (7)
GAA: Logan Thompson (1.60)
Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: Kirill Marchenko (7)
Goals: Kirill Marchenko (5)
Assists: Boone Jenner (4)
GAA: Jet Greaves (2.04)
Coaches:
Washington Capitals: Spencer Carbery (3rd season)
Columbus Blue Jackets: Dean Evason (2nd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
