The Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators open the 2020-21 NHL regular season against each other Thursday for an 8 p.m. ET puck drop at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Below, we analyze the Blue Jackets-Predators NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
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 8:15 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Blue Jackets +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Predators -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Blue Jackets +1.5 (-275) | Predators -1.5 (+220)
- Over/Under: 5.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Blue Jackets at Predators: Projected starting goalies
Elvis Merzlikins (13-9-8, 2.35 GAA, .923 SV%) at Juuse Saros (17-12-4, 2.70 GAA, .914 SV%)
Merzlikins is expected to get the first nod, although both goalies are 1A and 1B, and will do plenty of heavy lifting with the compressed schedule. Merzlikins faced the Preds once last season, allowing three goals on 36 shots in a 4-3 shootout loss in the Music City on Feb. 22.
Saros was on the winning side of that 4-3 shootout against the Jackets on Feb. 22, turning aside 40 of the 43 shots he faced for the much-deserved win. The Finnish backstop was 7-6-1 at Bridgestone last season in 14 starts and 18 appearances, but he had a strong 2.41 GAA with a .919 SV% versus a 2.92 GAA and .911 SV% in 20 starts and 22 appearances on the road.
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Blue Jackets at Predators: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Blue Jackets 4, Predators 3
Money line (ML)
The BLUE JACKETS (+105) are worth playing as short ‘dogs on the road. I just don’t like how the Predators (-125) looked down the stretch last season, as they appeared to be super old right before our eyes. Columbus has a ton of young, up-and-coming players, and the exciting Merzlikins makes some unbelievable saves. He will be the difference in this one.
Against the spread (ATS)
Avoid the Blue Jackets +1.5 (-275), as they will cost you nearly three times your potential return. If you bet them straight up, there is no sense playing them plus the goal and a half. AVOID.
Over/Under (O/U)
The OVER 5.5 (-105) is the best play on the board, as these teams always seem to put on an offensive show. The Over has connected in four straight meetings in this series, and five straight battles in the Music City. Look for plenty of offense again.
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