The Columbus Blue Jackets (15-15-1) and New Jersey Devils (13-16-5) meet Thursday in Newark, N.J. Puck drop at Prudential Center is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Blue Jackets vs. Devils odds and lines and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
Columbus returned from a 13-day COVID-19 hiatus with a 4-3 shootout win over the Nashville Predators Dec. 30. However, the Blue Jackets have since been shellacked by a combined score of 14-6 in two losses to the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Devils had a three-game win streak snapped when they lost at the Boston Bruins Tuesday. New Jersey has yielded 5 or more in eight of its last 15 games; the club has allowed 4.20 goals per game over that time.
Thursday’s game in Newark marks the front end of a home-and-home. The Devils and Jackets will meet in Columbus Saturday.
Blue Jackets at Devils odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:20 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Blue Jackets +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Devils -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jackets +1.5 (-230) | Devils -1.5 (+170)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -125)
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Blue Jackets at Devils projected goalies
Joonas Korpisalo (3-5-0, 4.14 GAA, .881 SV%) vs. Mackenzie Blackwood (8-7-3, 3.32 GAA, .895 SV%, 2 SO)
Korpisalo has not delivered since logging a .911 SV% and 2.60 GAA for the 2019-20 Blue Jackets. The 27-year-old has posted lackluster numbers in and around significant time missed due to a COVID-19 illness.
He’s between the pipes now with G Elvis Merzlikins (lower body) and G Daniil Tarasov (lower body) sidelined with injuries and was allowed to go the distance in allowing 7 goals to the Lightning on Tuesday.
Blackwood stopped 29 shots in Tuesday’s 5-3 loss to the Bruins. He’s been solid against shots from distance but undone on high-danger looks from in close. His overall numbers have been protected, however, because New Jersey does credible work in preventing those attempts.
Blue Jackets at Devils odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Devils 5, Blue Jackets 3
Money line
AVOID. The Devils are the lean, but the pricing on the puck line is more competitive for bettors who can chance the multi-goal differential.
Against the spread
Columbus is 1-7-0 across its last eight road games, and some of those seven losses have been clunky efforts from an analytic-metrics standpoint.
New Jersey has been inconsistent, but the Devils have posted solid puck-possession numbers on their good nights.
Both sides are banged up with injuries on the blue line, and there are plenty of questions in net. Figure DEVILS -1.5 (+170) as being worth a look as the best side in this one.
Over/Under
The Over is 4-0 in the Jackets’ last four road games, and it’s 4-0 in New Jersey’s last four overall.
The Columbus offense is a bit undervalued in general, and the injury issues for both teams are among key defensemen and goalies. TAKE THE OVER 6.5 (+100).
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