The Washington Capitals come out of the All-Star break with a number of key bodies still missing but they have a relatively soft schedule this week against three non-playoff teams — and their biggest name is expected to be back tonight when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets.
NHL betting odds have Washington as a massive home favorite for tonight's tilt — but is laying the heavy juice worth it for tonight?
Get our thoughts with our free NHL picks and predictions for Capitals vs. Blue Jackets on Tuesday, February 8.
Blue Jackets vs Capitals odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
This line opened at Caps -240/Blue Jackets +207 and currently sees Washington mostly around -255 but anywhere from -230 to -275. The total opened at 6.5 and remains there, shaded towards the Under.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until puck drop and be sure to check out the full NHL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Blue Jackets vs Capitals predictions
- Prediction: Capitals -1.5 (+105)
- Prediction: Over 6.5 (+105)
- Best bet: Capitals Over 3.5 goals in regulation (-122)
Predictions made on 2/8/2022 at 1:45 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Blue Jackets vs Capitals game info
• Location: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
• Date: Tuesday, February 8, 2022
• Puck drop: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: NBCSWA, BSOH
Blue Jackets vs Capitals betting preview
Key injuries
Blue Jackets: Alexandre Texier C (Out), Jake Bean D (Out).
Capitals: T.J. Oshie RW (Out), Anthony Mantha RW (Out), Vitek Vanecek G (Out).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.
Blue Jackets vs Capitals head-to-head record
Blue Jackets: 0-2-0, 4 goals for.
Capitals: 2-0-0, 7 goals for.
Betting trend to know
The Blue Jackets are 19-43 in their last 62 road games. Find more NHL betting trends for Blue Jackets vs. Capitals.
Blue Jackets vs Capitals picks and predictions
Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.
Puck line analysis
The Caps went into the All-Star break losing 5-3 to Edmonton, but it was a game where starter Ilya Samsonov was pulled after letting in three goals on four shots in five minutes of action — and Washington was without superstar Alex Ovechkin, who was placed in COVID protocols.
Even then, the Capitals likely win that game 53.6% of the time, based on 1,000 simulations from Moneypuck, and that was the first game Ovie has missed this season... and after clearing protocols this morning he will be expected back on the ice tonight, where Washington won its previous two games (at Pittsburgh, at Dallas) with the Great 8 in the lineup.
While Samsonov, who was also placed in protocols after the Edmonton loss, has also cleared and is able to play tonight, he will be the backup to Pheonix Copley, who stopped 21 of 22 shots in relief last Wednesday to keep the Capitals competitive in the game.
Tonight will mark Copley's first NHL start since April 2019, when he made 27 appearances that season for Washington, going 16-7-3 with a 2.90 GAA and .905 SV%. He has been solid for AHL Hershey this season, however, posting a 2.43 GAA and .909 SV% while surrendering two or fewer goals in five straight games and 10 of his last 13.
Obviously, the NHL is a bigger step up, but Copley starting tonight isn't a massive drop off from the inconsistent play of Samsonov (or currently injured Vitek Vanecek) — especially against a Blue Jackets team that has been struggling mightily.
After getting out to a 12-6 start through late November, Columbus has since gone 8-16-1 and currently sits with the second-highest goals against per game (3.67) this season. Things have gotten even worse over the last 10 games, with the Jackets coughing up 4.1 goals per game — including 17 goals in two games against Florida, six against Calgary, and 3+ goals in five of their last six overall.
The Capitals haven't been playing their best hockey right now, posting a below-average 49.84 Corsi For Percentage (per Natural Stat Trick) during their last 10 games, but it is a better mark than Columbus' 46.91 CF% (24th in league). With Ovechkin back and the entirety of the team rested, we're looking for the Caps to come out firing and handle their business on home ice.
Prediction: Capitals -1.5 (+105)
Over/Under analysis
In case you glossed over the above section (how rude!), the Blue Jackets have been giving up an awful pile of goals lately: More than four per contest over their last 10 games and at least five goals in three of their last six.
A big reason for that is Columbus is giving up the third-most high-danger chances per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 during this stretch and the most overall shots on goal per 60.
The Capitals haven't exactly been lighting the NHL on fire offensively, averaging just 2.7 goals per game over their last 10 contests overall — dragged down by a paltry 2.46 expected goals per 60 at 5-on-5 (17th) and a power play that is 31st in the NHL since December 1 (12.1%).
It's puzzling to understand how a power-play unit that boasts Ovechkin, John Carlson, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Nick Backstrom, and Tom Wilson can struggle, but head coach Peter Laviolette is switching things up tonight.
He's moved Kuznetsov, who leads the team with 14 power-play points, to help drive the No. 2 man-advantage unit (which has a combined five power-play goals all season), and is elevating Lars Eller to the top unit, to provide a little more of a net-front presence and traffic in front of heavy shots from Ovechkin and Carlson.
On the flip side, while the Blue Jackets have struggled in giving up goals they have still been able to score a bit, tallying 15 goals in their last three games, and they are facing an AHL goalie with a total of 55 minutes of NHL action since April 2019.
The Over is 4-1-1 in the last six Columbus games while cashing in 13 of the Capitals' last 18 home contests — that's where we're leaning tonight.
Prediction: Over 6.5 (+105)
Best bet
Goals have been plentiful for Blue Jackets opponents this season and Washington comes in with nine goals in its last two games (with Ovechkin) — on the road against two of the league's stingier defenses.
A rested Capitals squad should come out with plenty of energy — especially Ovie, who won't play again until Sunday as he is not permitted to travel to Canada for the Caps' next game on Thursday.
We're going to bank on Washington pouring in some goals tonight and go Over its team total of 3.5, and extracting some extra value by grabbing the Caps to hit four goals in regulation.
Pick: Capitals Over 3.5 goals in regulation (-122)
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