Washington Capitals vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, Preview and Odds - 04/14/2026

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Venue:  Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH 

Where to Watch:  ESPN

DraftKings:  Moneyline:  Capitals +100, Blue Jackets -120; Over/Under:  6.5 goals

Bet365:  Moneyline:  Capitals +100, Blue Jackets -120; Over/Under:  6 goals

BetMGM:  Moneyline:  Capitals +100, Blue Jackets -120; Over/Under:  6 goals

Washington Capitals:  42-30-9 (4th place, Metropolitan Division)

Columbus Blue Jackets:  40-29-12 (5th place, Metropolitan Division)

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Washington Capitals:  7-3-0 last 10

Columbus Blue Jackets:  2-7-1 last 10

The Capitals are entering this game with 93 points, a 42-30-9 record overall, and they are 17-19-4 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Pittsburgh Penguins in their last game, winning that one at home 3-0. Connor McMichael led the team in goals scored with 2 while Trevor van Riemsdyk scored 1 goal for them in that one. Martin Fehérváry led the team in assists with 2 while Trevor van Riemsdyk led the team in shots on net in that game with 5. Logan Thompson was the starting goalie in that game and he recorded the shutout as he allowed 0 goals on 24 shots with 24 saves and a 1.000 save percentage. Their offense has scored 261 goals this season averaging 3.2 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 243 goals against them allowing 3 goals per game.

The Blue Jackets are entering this game with 92 points, a 40-29-12 record overall, and they are 20-12-8 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Boston Bruins in their last game, losing that one at home 3-2. Adam Fantilli and Mason Marchment each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Boone Jenner, Dante Fabbro, and Danton Heinen each led the team in assists with 1 while Zach Werenski led the team in shots on net in that game with 8. Jet Greaves was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 3 goals on 22 shots with 19 saves and a .864 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 252 goals this season averaging 3.1 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 251 goals against them allowing 3.1 goals per game.

The current betting odds have the Capitals listed as a slight underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Capitals have looked good in their games this season with their 42-30-9 record overall which has them in the top half of their division in the East. They have been a terrible road team though with their 17-19-4 road record this year. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets have looked good in their games this season with their 40-29-12 record overall, but that record has them in the bottom half of their division in the East. They have looked good on home ice though with their 20-12-8 home record this season. Both of these teams are still alive for the last playoff spot and this is going to be the final game of the regular season for both. Both teams don't control their own destiny though as they would still need the Flyers to lose out, but these two teams have been trending in opposite directions lately. The Capitals have looked a lot worse in their road games this year, but they are an experienced team that was the best team in the regular season last year and they have been winning games when they need it most. They are off a 3-0 win over the Penguins in their last one and they are now 7-3-0 in their last 10 games with a lot of momentum on their side, winning 3 games in a row. The Blue Jackets have looked terrible lately though as they have been in a huge spiral. They are 2-7-1 in their last 10 games and they are off a loss to the Bruins in their last one. They have blown countless opportunities over the last 2 weeks too and they look like a team that is going to miss the playoffs. The Capitals also have 1 more point than the Blue Jackets do, so the Capitals are in a better position to catch the Flyers and will leave it all on the ice in this game. The best way to place a bet here is on the Capitals to win this game. 

Capitals Blue Jackets Prediction:  Our NHL Pick for Tuesday, April 14, 2026 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Capitals 2 Blue Jackets 1.

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Washington Capitals: 138-121 (+10.9 units) on the moneyline in all games. 31-34 (+9.3 units) on the moneyline as a road underdog of +100 to +200. 47-31 (+7.2 units) on the moneyline when playing against a marginal losing team (Win Pct. 40% to 49%). 12-5 OVER as a road underdog of +100 to +200.

Columbus Blue Jackets: 107-137 (-5.4 units) on the moneyline in all games. 37-49 (-7.6 units) on the moneyline revenging a same season loss vs opponent. 22-39 (-13.7 units) on the moneyline when playing against a marginal winning team (Win Pct. 51% to 60%). 25-17 OVER as a home favorite.

Washington Capitals:  R. Sandin (D) Day To Day - Leg. C. Lindgren (G) Day To Day - Upper Body.

Columbus Blue Jackets:  D. Severson (D) Out For Season - Shoulder. D. Voronkov (LW) Out - Hand. M. Olivier (RW) Out - Upper Body. B. Smith (D) Out - Knee.

“I know our guys. And I know that there was no way we were gonna throw the towel in and just cruise in and hopefully play .500 hockey and ride it out. It doesn’t mean we’re gonna make the playoffs, but I knew we would not pack it in, and we were gonna fight to win hockey games.” - Spencer Carbery after his team’s win against the Penguins in their game on Sunday. 

“We're all very, very disappointed in how it went tonight. The guys are heartbroken, we're heartbroken, and now we've lost total control of what's going to happen. So, there's nothing we can do now, and we'll just have to sit back and see what happens tomorrow night with Philly.” - Rick Bowness after his team’s loss against the Bruins in their game on Sunday. 

LW Alex Ovechkin

C Dylan Strome

RW Anthony Beauvillier

LD Martin Fehervary

RD Timothy Liljegren

G Logan Thompson

LW Kirill Marchenko

C Adam Fantilli

RW Isac Lundestrom

LD Zach Werenski

RD Dante Fabbro

G Jet Greaves

Points: Alex Ovechkin (63)

Goals: Alex Ovechkin (32)

Assists: Dylan Strome (39)

GAA: Logan Thompson (2.44)

Points: Zach Werenski (81)

Goals: Kirill Marchenko (27)

Assists: Zach Werenski (59)

GAA: Jet Greaves (2.61)

Coaches:

Washington Capitals: Spencer Carbery (3rd season)

Columbus Blue Jackets: Rick Bowness (1st season)