Washington vs. Columbus: NHL Match Prediction

Current form

The team from the US capital never ceases to amaze all NHL fans. Washington has become almost the strongest team in the league following the results of the first month of the regular season. The Capitals have earned 14 points in nine games and are showing a decent game in attack. After a failure in Tampa, where Alexander Ovechkin team was unable to score (0:3), the Capitals returned home and easily beat the Rangers (5:3), and in the last game they were better than Montreal (6:3). The captain of the hosts has gained excellent form and scored four goals in the last two matches. Now "Ovi" is getting closer and closer to Wayne Gretzky record every day.

Spencer Carbery men have dropped only four points in October. The Caps are strong on offense and are averaging more than four goals per game. At the same time, Washington defense is not ideal. The "Lice" are allowing three goals per game, with Charlie Lindgren and Logan Thompson saving only 87.5% of shots. The entire team is getting back on defense and trying to prevent attacks on the club goalies. Dylan Strome has scored 13 points and is currently the Capitals' main attacking force.

Disqualifications and injuries

Jakob Chychrun, Nicklas Backstrom, Matt Roy and T.J. Oshie will be out against Columbus.

Interesting trends for betting

• Washington takes 31 shots on goal

The Caps are playing well on offense and are shooting 13.1 percent of their shots.

• The Capitals are averaging ten minutes of penalty time per game.

The Capitals concede after penalties in 18.2% of cases.

Current form

Columbus, unexpectedly for many hockey fans, is at the top of the Eastern Conference table. The Ohio club has scored 11 points in ten starts and is showing good offensive play. The visiting team is weaker than many other rosters, but this does not prevent Zach Werenski team from achieving the desired result. The Blue Jackets earned points in four games in a row at the end of October. They managed to beat strong teams from Toronto (6:2), Edmonton (6:1) and the Islanders (2:0), but lost to Nashville (3:4, OT). At the beginning of the new calendar month, the Jackets could not cope with the pressure of the Western Conference leader and played rather poorly on their half of the ice (2:6).

Elvis Merzlikin has only recently returned to action after an injury. He will undoubtedly strengthen the "jackets" lineup. This season, this goalie has played only five games and has already recorded one shutout, reflecting 90.73% of shots. Kirill Marchenko has become the leader of "Columbus" and is currently the club top scorer. The forward from Russia has 12 points (4+8).

Disqualifications and injuries

Gavin Brindley, Erik Gudbranson, Boone Jenner and Kent Johnson will not play in the capital on Sunday.

Interesting trends for betting

• Columbus opponents average 30 shots on goal against the Jackets

The visiting team goalies played well in October. They stopped 89.6% of shots that entered their territory.

• The Blazers earn six minutes of penalty time per game.

The visitors play well in the minority and “kill” 79.3% of penalties.