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NHL Playoffs 2018: Capitals vs. Blue Jackets preview, prediction

By Dave Stevenson

COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 26: Oliver Bjorkstrand #28 of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Matt Niskanen #2 of the Washington Capitals chase after the puck on February 26, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 26: Oliver Bjorkstrand #28 of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Matt Niskanen #2 of the Washington Capitals chase after the puck on February 26, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Can the Columbus Blue Jackets pull off a massive upset over the Washington Capitals in the NHL Playoffs 2018?

Going into the NHL Playoffs 2018, two of the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference are the Washington Capitals and the Columbus Blue Jackets. On Thursday night, the two division rivals will begin their first-round series. This should prove to be an evenly matched series.

During the regular season, the Caps won three of their four games against the Jackets. However, Columbus won the most recent meeting over Washington 5-1. Also, it’s worth noting the Jackets significantly outshot the Caps in each of the four games. The two squads haven’t played since Feb. 26.

Capitals

Washington won the Metropolitan Division, but they aren’t nearly as impressive as they were in the past two years. Alex Ovechkin is still an outstanding goal scorer, leading the league in goals with 49. John Carlson led all defensemen in points with 68.

Centers Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov have been on fire lately. Since the start of March, the former has six goals and 19 assists for 25 points while the latter has eight goals and 14 assists for 22 points. T.J. Oshie has had a rough season but has 12 points in 16 games since March 1.

Related Story: Top 8 Alex Ovechkin Goals

However, the Caps greatest strength might be their goaltending depth. Braden Holtby and Philipp Grubauer are both capable starters. Though the former had the worst regular season of his career, he’s still one of the best postseason goaltenders of all-time. The Caps will be going with the latter in Game 1, though head coach Barry Trotz wouldn’t commit to him further than that.

Blue Jackets

Columbus comes into the postseason having won 13 of their last 19 games. Since the start of March, they have the fourth-best record in the NHL. Columbus has the most goals in the league during the same time span. They also have the ninth-best power play during that time.

Reigning Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky had an extremely strong season and will likely be named a Vezina finalist for the second straight season. Since the start of March, he has a .923 save percentage. However, Bobrovsky has struggled against the Caps in his career, as he has just a .900 save percentage against them.

Related Story: Blue Jackets Loaded For Cup Run

Cam Atkinson has been scorching hot lately. He has at least one point in 17 of his last 20 games after struggling for most of the season. Meanwhile, Artemi Panarin has 41 points in 31 games since the All-Star break. Defenseman Seth Jones and rookie center Pierre-Luc Dubois each have 17 points since the start of March.

Next: Power Ranking the Stanley Cup Playoff Teams

Prediction

Washington should win this series, but it’ll be tough. Columbus is quite capable of pulling off an upset, as they come into the playoffs as arguably the hottest team in the Eastern Conference.

Capitals in 6

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