Washington Capitals vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Picks and Prediction, Friday October 24, 2025
The Metropolitan Division is set to be an incredibly tight battle in 2025/26, and on Friday, we'll see a clash between two key teams with our Washington Capitals vs. Columbus Blue Jackets prediction.
The Washington Capitals (5-2-0) were the surprise of the NHL last season, and while they may not be that dominant again this year, there's enough talent there once more for this to be a genuine post-season contender.
On Friday, they battle the Columbus Blue Jackets (3-3-0), a team that's on the rise in the National Hockey League, and if their young core can continue their development, there's no reason why they can't be a playoff threat in 2025/26. Read on to see our Washington Capitals vs. Columbus Blue Jackets prediction.
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Can the Capitals continue their red-hot start?
While many believed the Washington Capitals success a year ago was a fluke, they're off to another great start in 2025/26, with their 5-2-0 record highlighted by a 2-0 record away from home as they look to make a deep post-season run this time around. The Capitals' offense has been solid to start the year with 3.00 goals scored per game, but with the team leading the NHL with a 1.86 GAA, it's clear that this team will go as far as their netminders will take them this season.
Depth is the way this team has got their scoring going this year, with Tom Wilson's 10 points thus far leading three other players with six or more points this year, and with a great blend of youth and experience, this team is deep and talented. Last time out for the Capitals was a dominant win over the Seattle Kraken, with two assists to Aliaksei Protas leading 10 players with a point on the night as Logan Thompson stopped 18 of 19 shots he saw, leading to the 4-1 victory.
Expected starting goaltender: Logan Thompson (1.60 GAA and a .927 save percentage in five games).
Is this the year the Blue Jackets make a post-season push?
The Columbus Blue Jackets fought through tough circumstances a year ago, and it made them stronger. And while their young core has led them to a 1-2-0 start at home this season, hopes are incredibly high for the new campaign. Last year, it was all about the offense for the Blue Jackets, but this year, they've seemingly found balance, as they average 3.17 goals a night while giving up just 2.67 of their own, and if they can keep up that production, this will be a very successful season for them.
Columbus' offense is led by winger Kirill Marchenko with seven points on the year, and with a further four players having four or more points early in the year, balance is crucial, and it appears this lineup is finding plenty of it. Last time out for the Blue Jackets was a massive road win over the Dallas Stars, with three players tallying two points on the night as Elvis Merzlikins made 22 stops, enough to pick up the 5-1 victory.
Expected starting goaltender: Jet Greaves (2.04 GAA and a .928 save percentage in three games).
Washington Capitals vs. Columbus Blue Jackets picks
Moneyline pick for Capitals vs. Blue Jackets
- Washington -105 (4 units)
The Columbus Blue Jackets won the last two head-to-head meetings between these two teams a year ago, ending the year 2-2, but in their last 10 matchups, it's the Capitals that have come away with a 7-3 record.
On top of that, they've won three of their last four matchups against the Blue Jackets in Columbus, and while both teams have been great to start the year, the Capitals' offense and goaltending have been at another level, and that should lead them to a victory in this one.
Over/under pick for Capitals vs. Blue Jackets
- Under 6.5 (4 units)
Despite two good offensive units doing battle in this one, it's been all about the goaltending this season, with both starters having a GAA under 2.10 this season, with three of their four head-to-head encounters a year ago resulting in seven or less goals.
For the Capitals, the under sits at 5-2 this season, with just two total goals allowed in their two road games, and for the Blue Jackets, the under comes in at 5-1 in 2025/26, with three or fewer goals allowed in five of those games.
Keep it simple, take the under.