Washington is the best team in hockey. The Capitals have 111 points. No other team has reached 100 points. Washington already has clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference. All of this makes the Capitals vulnerable in a game like this where they lack motivation and incentive.

There's a fatigue factor working against the Capitals, too. This is their third game in four nights. The Capitals aren't in outstanding form either going just 4-4 in their last eight games.

Columbus is seven games below .500. The Blue Jackets, though, usually can be counted on to play hard thanks to fiery coach John Tortorella. The team doesn't play again until Thursday so a full effort should be forthcoming especially when taking on the No. 1 team.

So I'm going to get involved on the puck line and take 1 1/2 goals laying extra juice. If the Capitals were forced to lay 1 1/2 goals during their last 19 games they would be 2-17.

(Editor's note: Stephen Nover is one of the hottest 'cappers in the country going 23-11-4 on his last 38 premium and free hockey plays, going 60-33 on his past 93 premium and free NBA plays and 9-4 on his last 13 premium college plays. Stephen's Monday card is topped by his Tournament Total of the Year.)