(18-25  -1.35 units)

Panthers moneyline -110  2*

The Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals will square off after a solid few days off for both teams.

The Washington Capitals make their way down to Florida after being home for over a week, and are in solid form through a four game dominant win streak. They will have to go on the road to face another high potential team that has appeared to find some groove themselves.

The Panthers saw their share of shaky defense to start the season, but have had very favorable close matchups against the Capitals lately, having won all three meetings last season. After a solid rest and probably some very effective drills and practices, look for them to have all of their holes covered tonight against one of the top teams in hockey. I expect a very aggressive forecheck on ice that they know better than anyone else.

The Capitals have an excellent system going on, but expect it to be a little disrupted today. Also, because Washington relies strongly on passing rhythm, the extended rest may not work to their benefit today.

I will back the home team for a strong effort with a talented squad.

Blue Jackets moneyline +130  1*

I know by now it probably seems like I have some favoritism towards CBJ, and they have disappointed me in the last couple attempts. However, the truth is that the value just keeps offering itself into a spot that I like. I understand that the Jackets have not really been proving their underdog status otherwise, but it’s hard to imagine that Tortorella does not have his troops ready for this one to start a road trip on a five game losing streak.

First off, this is probably going to be the most chippy of all matchups you could possibly see. Both teams rely on their pesky and gritty nature, and love to score goals in all kinds of different ways. Therefore, CBJ’s notorious sloppiness may not play to a further disadvantage against a scavenger like team like Arizona. The Coyotes rely on speed and relentless pressure, but not so much skill and talent. The Jackets have a good matchup to their advantage here, as they too are a smaller built team that can win a foot race with the best of them.

It has mainly been mind fogs, puck boggles, slip ups, and unstable goaltending that has led CBJ into their losing streak. If they can get the puck management under better control, they are actually the more skilled team of the two right now.

While I have stated that I do believe Arizona will be a good team throughout the course of the season, I think the late meltdown against Calgary on Tuesday may be a little shake to the young core for the time being. The number one focus for them will be not allowing a collapse to happen again, and this may cause players to be more cautious with a style that has generally been the reason that they are winning games. Look for the Jackets to have a little more jump tonight.