Joe Namath would be impressed with the NHL guarantees being issued lately. Washington’s Alex Ovechkin promised two wins in Columbus after the Caps lost the first two games at home. Now Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella has assured all that there will be a game seven. Which means Columbus must win game six. Washington may be favored with the Stanley Cup Playoff odds. And with three straight wins it makes sense. But the Blue Jackets won’t be an easy out. Beyond Tortorella’s promises is a hard reality. It’s do or die Monday night in C-Bus!
Washington Capitals vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Game 6
Date and Time: Monday, April 23, 2018, 7:35 p.m. ET
Location: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
NHL Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capitals | +1½ (-310) | 5½ (-115) |  |
| Blue Jackets | -1½ (+255) | 5½ (-105) | |
| |||
Capitals vs. Blue Jackets TV Coverage: CNBC
The Series so Far
Columbus won 4-3 and 5-4 overtime wins at Washington to open this series. Meanwhile, resiliency was shown by the Caps in a 3-2 overtime road win in game three. They evened the series with a 4-1 win in the fourth tilt. Game five was fabulous and the fourth OT thriller in this series. Washington got the Stanley Cup Playoff odds payout 4-3. A win in game six ends the series finally. Should CBJ prevail game seven is Wednesday night.
Capitals
Goaltender Braden Holtby came off the bench to save the season for the Capitals. He was benched after losing his starting job with an inconsistent regular season. He has emerged as a key sportsbook playoff asset. Holtby has posted a .936 save percentage so far against the Blue Jackets. His goals against average is a miniscule 1.66. Overtime pressure has not gotten to Holtby in the meantime. In fact, he has thrived in it. Center Niklas Backstrom was the overtime hero in game five. Backstrom got the game winning goal at 11:53 of OT. He leads Washington with two goals and six assists.
Blue Jackets
Columbus goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has a solid playoff save percentage of .912. Bobrovsky was brilliant in the overtime loss. Beside stopping several point-blank chances, he got little support. Also, left wing Artemi Panarin has emerged as a Blue Jackets star. He has flourished with two goals and five assists. Time and again Panarin has flashed his skill set. Fans are thrilled with his electrifying skating and playmaking. Meanwhile, defenseman Seth Jones has been mentioned for the Norris Trophy. He has one goal and four assists in the series. Jones has gotten numerous calls for great defensive plays.
Matchup to Watch
The home team has paid in just one of the first five games. Washington has won four of their last five at Columbus. Just one of the last six at Nationwide Arena between these teams went over the total. Tortorella has made CBJ a threat with the Stanley Cup Playoff odds. Holtby has been the difference in this series. Despite Tortorella’s guarantee its hard to oppose the Caps. Pressure will be enormous on the Blue Jackets. Holtby has stood tall in the face of full blown pressure. Washington also has more secondary scoring depth.
Capitals vs. Blue Jackets NHL Playoff Lines Picks
Washington is the call to end this series with a game six win!
NHL Betting Online Pick: Washington Capitals
NHL Betting Online Score Prediction: Capitals 3, Blue Jackets 1
Here is Columbus coach John Tortorella’s comments after a tough game five loss. He says Columbus will be back in Washington for game seven!