The Nashville Predators (6-9-0) and Columbus Blue Jackets (7-6-4) will play the first half of a two-game set at Nationwide Arena Thursday. Puck drop will be at 7 p.m. ET; Game 2 will be played Saturday. Below, we analyze the Predators-Blue Jackets NHL odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
The Jackets have dropped back-to-back games. After losing 3-2 in overtime to the Chicago Blackhawks Saturday, they were routed 7-3 by the Carolina Hurricanes Monday.
The Preds had a two-game set against the Dallas Stars postponed due to the winter storm that has devastated the Dallas area. They lost four of their previous five games and may have been in need of the extended break.
Predators at Blue Jackets: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:19 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Predators +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Blue Jackets -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Predators +1.5 (-250) | Blue Jackets -1.5 (+200)
- Over/Under: 5.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Predators at Blue Jackets: Projected starting goalies
Juuse Saros (3-4-0, .880 SV%, 3.66 GAA) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (2-2-1, .906 SV%, 2.95 GAA)
Saros last appeared in relief of Pekka Rinne Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings. He allowed 1 goal on 6 shots in just under 20 minutes of crease time as the Preds fell 4-2 on home ice. His last credited win was Jan. 27 over the Blackhawks.
Merzlikins’ last two appearances were both in relief of starter Joonas Korpisalo. He stopped 16 of 18 shots in just under 45 minutes of total ice time. His last start was Jan. 31 against the Blackhawks when he allowed 3 goals on 36 shots in a loss.
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Predators at Blue Jackets: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Predators 3, Blue Jackets 2
Money line (ML)
The well-rested PREDATORS (+115) are the play for the minor road upset. They’re ninth in the NHL with a 5-on-5 Corsi For percentage of 51.58, while the Blue Jackets are 28th at 46.94%.
Merzlikins will be motivated with an apparent opportunity to take over the No. 1 goaltending role in Columbus, but Saros is also in need of a quality outing to retain his job for Nashville.
The Jackets continue to be without D Zach Werenski (lower body) and that’s the most notable injury on either side. The Preds have a strong top-six forward group, even without C Ryan Johansen (upper body), and can exploit the weakened second pairing of the Jackets.
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Against the spread (ATS)
The PREDATORS +1.5 (-250) can also be backed with the goal of insurance but preferably as part of a larger NHL parlay. They’re just 6-9 ATS but the Blue Jackets are 7-10 and haven’t beaten anyone by 2 or more goals since topping the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2 Jan. 23.
Both power-play and penalty-kill units are in the bottom third of the league. Expect a close, low-scoring and largely uneventful 1-goal game.
Over/Under (O/U)
UNDER 5.5 (-115) is the play with both teams in the bottom half of the league in goals scored. They both allow 3.47 goals per game but the goalies are well-positioned to get back on track against a lackluster opponent.
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