The Columbus Blue Jackets (4-3-0) face the New Jersey Devils (4-2-0) Sunday at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Puck drop is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Blue Jackets vs. Devils odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Blue Jackets were blanked 4-0 Friday at Madison Square Garden by the New York Rangers, and have totaled just five goals scored across their last three outings. The Under is 5-1 across the last six for Columbus.
The Devils doubled up the Penguins on the road Saturday. New Jersey has alternated wins and losses in each of its last five outings. The Under is 2-1-2 across the past five contests.
Blue Jackets at Devils odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Blue Jackets +102 (bet $100 to win $102) | Devils -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jackets +1.5 (-280) | Devils -1.5 (+195)
- Over/Under (O/U): OTB
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Blue Jackets at Devils projected goalies
Elvis Merzlikins (4-1-0, 1.98 GAA, .939 SV%) vs. Scott Wedgewood (0-2-0, 3.45 GAA, .878 SV%)
Merzlikins was on the short end of Friday’s loss against the Rangers. However, he made 33 saves, the third time this season he’s made 33 or more saves, as he faced his second-highest shot total of the season.
Wedgewood has been on the short end in each of his two appearances. He stopped 20 of 22 shots in a relief appearance Tuesday against the Calgary Flames.
Blue Jackets at Devils odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Blue Jackets 4, Devils 2
Money line
The BLUE JACKETS (+102) are short ‘dogs on the road, but the goaltender matchup is squarely in their favor. Merzlikins has been on fire, and the trends are also very much in the favor of the road team.
Columbus is 21-7 in the past 28 meetings with New Jersey, and it is 6-1 in the past seven trips to Newark.
Against the spread
The Blue Jackets +1.5 (-280) are way too expensive, costing you nearly three times your potential return if you want a little bit of insurance. If you like the Jackets, just play them straight up.
AVOID.
Over/Under
This total has come off the board but it was listed at 6.5 at the time of writing.
If it opens back up at that number then UNDER 6.5 (-130) is the lean here. Merzlikins hasn’t allowed much of anything. While the Blueshirts got to him in his most recent start, no one is going to confuse New Jersey’s mediocre offense with that of the Rangers.
The Under is also 6-2 in the previous eight meetings in this series, and 8-2-2 in the past 12 battles in Newark, so the trends are in your favor, too.
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