The Anaheim Ducks (12-28-5) travel to meet the Columbus Blue Jackets (13-29-2) Thursday at Nationwide Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Ducks vs. Blue Jackets odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Ducks are on an 0-4-1 skid, last winning on Jan. 6 in a 5-4 overtime victory against the San Jose Sharks. The team last won on the road Dec. 17 in Edmonton, topping the Oilers 4-3 in regulation as the Over cashed. The Over is 6-0 in the last 6 games for the Ducks overall.
The Blue Jackets have dropped 2 in a row, and 5 of the last 6 games. They have just 2 total goals in the previous 2 losses, and Columbus is averaging just 1.8 goals per game (GPG) across the previous 6 contests overall.
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Ducks at Blue Jackets odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:04 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Ducks +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Blue Jackets -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Ducks +1.5 (-210) | Blue Jackets -1.5 (+155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Ducks at Blue Jackets projected goalies
John Gibson (7-19-4, 4.14 GAA, .895 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (5-12-0, 4.44 GAA, .869 SV%, 2 SO)
Gibson made 41 saves last time out in Pittsburgh, but he was on the short end of Monday’s 4-3 overtime loss. He is 1-4-1 with a 4.76 GAA and .883 SV% with a shutout in 6 starts in January.
Merzlikins allowed 3 goals on 33 shots in Monday’s 3-1 setback against the New York Rangers, although he has shown some signs of life in January, albeit ever so slightly. He is 1-4-0 with a 3.86 GAA and .883 SV% in 5 January outings, ironically, the same save percentage as his counterpart in the other crease.
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Ducks at Blue Jackets picks and predictions
Prediction
Blue Jackets 5, Ducks 4
Moneyline
The BLUE JACKETS (-145) are moderate favorites on home ice, and if Columbus is going to record 2 points, this is certainly the most likely place.
The Ducks (+125) have struggled just as much as the Jackets, and this should be an exciting affair, with the offenses finally breaking out with a pair of giving tendies in between the pipes.
The Ducks +1.5 (-210) will cost you more than 2 times your potential return so if you like Anaheim, just play it straight up.
PASS.
OVER 6.5 (-105) is easily the best play on the board, even if the head-to-head trends suggest otherwise.
Yes, the Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Ohio’s capital city. But the Over is 6-0 in the last 6 for the Ducks, while going 5-1 in the previous 6 on the road. The Over is also 4-0 in Anaheim’s last 4 against Eastern Conference squads.
The Over is 10-4-1 in the last 15 games for Columbus against Pacific Division foes, too, while hitting at a 5-1 clip in the last 6 games when playing on a day of rest.
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