The Columbus Blue Jackets (0-1-0) and Nashville Predators (1-0-0) play the second half of their back-to-back at Bridgestone Arena Saturday. Puck drop will be at 8 p.m. ET following Nashville’s 3-1 victory Thursday night. Below, we analyze the Blue Jackets-Predators NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
The Blue Jackets opened the scoring 9:24 into the first period Thursday but the Predators scored once each in the second and third periods before adding an empty-netter with 93 seconds left on the clock.
Blue Jackets at Predators: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Blue Jackets +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Predators -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Blue Jackets +1.5 (-275) | Predators -1.5 (+225)
- Over/Under: 5.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Blue Jackets at Predators: Projected starting goalies
Elvis Merzlikins (2019-20 stats: 13-9-8, .923 SV%, 2.35 GAA) vs. Juuse Saros (1-0-0, .967 SV%, 1.00 GAA)
Merzlikins will split time with Joonas Korpisalo and figures to start the second game of the season after Korpisalo allowed 2 goals on 34 shots Thursday. Merzlikins, 26, finished fifth in both Calder Trophy and Vezina Trophy voting while making 33 appearances last year.
Saros stopped 29 of the 30 shots he faced Thursday. He’s expected to take over the No. 1 job from veteran Pekka Rinne in his fifth full season in the NHL. He made a career-high 40 appearances last year with a 17-12-4 record, .914 save percentage and 2.70 goals against average.
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Blue Jackets at Predators: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Predators 3, Blue Jackets 1
Money line (ML)
The PREDATORS (-115) will make it back-to-back wins to open the season against their Central Division rivals. They outshot the Jackets 35-30 Thursday with a spirited third-period effort. Nashville had 18 scoring chances to 15 for Columbus, according to NaturalStatTrick.com.
Thursday’s game figures to be the style of play both teams want to replicate throughout the 2021 season. Both teams will look to rely on goaltending and defense, but the Predators have the superior top-end talent on offense and will be more opportunistic.
Against the spread (ATS)
It took an empty-netter for Nashville to win by 2 goals Thursday, but that’s very much in the cards once again Saturday. Back the PREDATORS -1.5 (+225) while counting on Saros to win another goaltending battle against the less-experienced Merzlikins.
Over/Under (O/U)
As mentioned, these two teams will lean on defensive play and have the personnel on defense and in net to do so. Back the UNDER 5.5 (-115) in what will be another goaltending duel.
The teams also combined for just 5 power-play opportunities Thursday. Few chances with the man advantage will help keep scoring down.
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