The Edmonton Oilers (32-19-8) wrap up a mini 2-game road trip against the Columbus Blue Jackets (18-35-5) Saturday at Nationwide Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Oilers vs. Blue Jackets odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Oilers racked up an impressive 7-2 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins Thursday night, cashing the Over for the 6th time in the past 7 games overall. Edmonton’s offense is on a serious roll, posting 4 or more goals in 5 straight outings.
The Blue Jackets are not doing so hot offensively. In fact, Columbus was blanked 2-0 on home ice by the Minnesota Wild Thursday, cashing the Under for the 5th straight time. It squandered a solid effort by Joonas Korpisalo, who stopped 23 of 25 shots by the Wild.
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Oilers 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 8:30 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Oilers -240 (bet $240 to win $100) | Blue Jackets +200 (bet $100 to win $200)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Oilers -1.5 (-105) | Blue Jackets +1.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -155 | U: +135)
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Oilers at Blue Jackets projected goalies
Stuart Skinner (15-11-4, 2.89 GAA, .913 SV%) vs. Joonas Korpisalo (10-11-3, 3.10 GAA, .912 SV%)
The All-Star Skinner, who happens to also be an Edmonton native, has allowed just 4 goals on 50 shots in the past 2 starts, both victories.
This past Sunday, Skinner was shaky in Montreal of all places, but he is still 2-1-1 with a 2.71 GAA and .905 SV% in 4 February starts since returning from the All-Star break.
The Blue Jackets are expected to run it back with Korpisalo, who has been sharp in his past 4 outings. In fact, he has allowed just 4 total goals on 92 shots in the previous 3 starts, winning twice.
Korpisalo is 2-2-0 with a 1.78 GAA and .947 SV% in 4 February starts, but he’ll be tested greatly by the No. 1 ranked offense (3.8 GPG) and No. 1 power-play unit (31.7%) in the NHL.
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Oilers at Blue Jackets picks and predictions
Prediction
Oilers 4, Blue Jackets 2
Moneyline
The Oilers (-240) will cost you more than twice your potential return, and there is just no value in a standalone bet like that. In fact, Edmonton isn’t really even worth pursuing as part of a multi-team parlay at that price.
PASS.
Puck line/Against the spread
The OILERS -1.5 (-105) are a better bet on the puck line. We’re getting in a little late as it was steamed up from +105, though.
The Edmonton offense has been sizzling lately, even more so than the entire season as a whole. This offense is No. 1 in the league with 3.8 GPG, but it has been on another plane lately, averaging 4.5 GPG across the past 10 outings.
While Edmonton enters just 2-3-1 across the past 6 games overall, the Oilers have won by 2 or more goals in each of the previous 8 victories dating back to Jan. 17. So if you like the Oilers to win, you should like them to cover the puck line, too.
Over/Under
The UNDER 6.5 (+135) is risky business with the way the Edmonton offense has been rocking, but Columbus is the driver of this bet.
The Blue Jackets have managed just 2 goals across the past 2 outings, and Columbus has been shut out twice in the past 7 games. Since Jan. 27, this offense is averaging just 2.1 GPG, too.
And, in the game Jan. 25 in Edmonton, Columbus squeaked out a 3-2 win in OT, easily cashing the Under.
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