Columbus Blue Jackets vs Washington Capitals Prediction, 12/7/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Washington Capitals

Date: Sunday, December 7, 2025

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

TV: Monumental Sports Network

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+162) Capitals (-196)

The Washington Capitals (17-9-2) welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets (13-9-5) at Capital One Arena on Sunday. The moneyline on this contest has Columbus at +162 and Washington is coming in at -196. The total is 6.

The Columbus Blue Jackets had a decent effort after finishing in a 5-5 tie against the Red Wings their last time out. The Blue Jackets had a impressive offensive outing in this game. In the game, they finished 5 of the 31 shots they tried. They also had 3 power play tries and were able to notch 2 goals. Columbus recorded 10 mins in the box in this matchup.

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With regard to their scoring, the Columbus Blue Jackets have racked up 80 goals (19th in the National Hockey League) so far this season and have given up 89. For the season, they have recorded 31 points and their points percentage comes in at .574. Columbus is sitting with 64 power play chances and they have tallied 12 goals out of those tries, garnering them a rate of 18.75%. When playing at even strength, the Blue Jackets let the opposition score 69 goals while having 68 on offense. Columbus has attempted 820 shots and has a shooting percentage of 9.8%. The Blue Jackets thus far have had 836 shots taken against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .894. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have totaled 71 power play tries (28th in professional hockey) and have scored 20 goals in those chances.

The player in the crease for this game is Elvis Merzlikins. In his professional hockey career, Merzlikins has 116 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .483. He has a save percentage of .901 for his 12,960 mins guarding the cage. Merzlikins has had 7,743 shot attempts taken against him and has recorded 6,977 total saves. The opposition has notched 766 goals against Merzlikins in his professional career and his goals against average per contest is 3.19. He has earned a record of 100-105-35 and he has started in 240 games. Merzlikins has been in goal for 255 contests during his pro hockey career.

In their last game, Washington went up against the Sharks in an outing where the Capitals ended up with the victory by a mark of 7-1. They had 2 power play chances in this outing and scored 1 out of those attempts. The Capitals earned 7 goals of the 30 shots on goal they attempted.

The Capitals have accumulated 84 goals at even strength and 14 goals (18th in the league) while on the power play. Washington has put up 829 shots (6th in the league) and has earned a shooting percentage of 11.82%, while allowing the other team 720 shots. On the campaign, the Washington Capitals have accounted for 98 goals, 36 points, and a points percentage of .643. They have allowed 69 goals to be scored by of a combination of 46 goals at even strength and 23 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have recorded 81 power play chances and they have a power play rate of 17.28%. They have a penalty kill percentage of 72.94% on their oppositions 85 power play chances, and their save percentage comes in at 90.4%.

Across the ice you will find Logan Thompson patrolling the crease. Thompson has earned a career mark of 99-44-18 and has played in 165 games. Thompson's quality start percentage comes out to 62.2% and he has 97 quality starting assignments in his professional career. He has tallied 4,222 stops out of 4,628 shots attempted, which gives him a save percentage of .912. Teams are averaging 2.60 goals per game and he has relinquished 406 goals overall. He got the starting nod in 156 games and has been on the ice for 7,784 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Columbus (+162)

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