NHL Game Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets (11-8-3) vs. Washington Capitals (11-9-2)

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Venue & Timing

Location: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

Puckdrop: 7:00 PM ET

Broadcast: Bally Sports Ohio, Monumental Sports Network, ESPN+

Injury Report

Columbus Blue Jackets:

Patrik Laine (upper body, questionable)

Adam Boqvist (lower body, out)

Elvis Merzļikins (day‑to‑day, illness)

Washington Capitals:

Alex Ovechkin (maintenance, probable)

Tom Wilson (hand, questionable)

Nicklas Backstrom (hip, out indefinitely)

Darcy Kuemper (groin, probable)

Player Matchups

Johnny Gaudreau (CBJ) vs. Alex Ovechkin (WSH): Gaudreau leads Columbus with 22 points (7G, 15A). Ovechkin, despite age, remains Washington’s top sniper with 10 goals.

Patrik Laine (CBJ) vs. Tom Wilson (WSH): If both play, Laine’s shooting vs. Wilson’s physicality is a key battle.

Zach Werenski (CBJ) vs. John Carlson (WSH): Werenski anchors Columbus’ blue line with 23 minutes per game. Carlson provides Washington with offensive punch from the back end.

Goaltending: Daniil Tarasov (CBJ, 2.78 GAA, .907 SV%) vs. Darcy Kuemper (WSH, 2.91 GAA, .904 SV%). Both netminders are steady but vulnerable to high‑volume shooting.

Team Recent Form

Columbus Blue Jackets:

5th in Metropolitan Division.

6‑3‑1 in last 10 games.

Averaging 3.1 goals per game, allowing 2.9.

Washington Capitals:

6th in Metropolitan Division.

5‑4‑1 in last 10 games.

Averaging 3.0 goals per game, allowing 3.0.

Series History

2024‑25 Season: Capitals won series 2‑1.

Last Meeting (Mar. 2025): Washington beat Columbus 4‑3 in OT at Capital One Arena.

Overall: Capitals lead all‑time series 41‑34‑12.

Betting Trends

Blue Jackets are 4‑2 in last 6 road games.

Capitals are 3‑5 in last 8 home games.

Over has hit in 5 of last 7 Columbus games.

Washington is 6‑2 when scoring first.

Final Score Projection: Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Washington Capitals 3 (OT)

Game Odds

Columbus Blue Jackets                  6.5

Washington Capitals                      – 162

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, November 23, 2025