The Columbus Blue Jackets (3-7-0) and Colorado Avalanche (4-4-1) meet Friday in the NHL’s Global Series at Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland. Puck drop is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET (NHL Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Blue Jackets vs. Avalanche odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Blue Jackets were dusted 7-1 in New Jersey, and Columbus has lost its last 3 games by a combined score of 17-4. That’s not what you want heading into an overseas showcase game against the defending Stanley Cup champions.
The Avalanche has dropped a pair of 1-goal games at the N.Y. Islanders and at New Jersey leading up to this game. Close games have been a routine for the Avs during the early going, as each of the last 6 games have been decided by a lone goal, with Colorado 2-3-1 during the stretch.
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Blue Jacket vs. Avalanche odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 11:08 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Blue Jackets +195 (bet $100 to win $195) | Avalanche -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jackets +1.5 (-115) | Avalanche -1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -125 | U: +102)
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Blue Jackets vs. Avalanche projected goalies
Elvis Merzlikins (2-4-0, 4.75 GAA, .864 SV%) vs. Alexandar Georgiev (4-1-1, 2.81 GAA, .918 SV%)
Merzlikins has lost his last 3 starts, and he has allowed 3 or more goals in each of his 1st 6 assignments. Last time out in New Jersey was a disaster, as he coughed up 7 goals while the defense allowed the Devils to take a season-high 53 shots on him.
Georgiev allowed 4 goals on 43 shots last time out against the Islanders at UBS Arena. That followed up an emotional 3-2 shootout win on the road against the New York Rangers, his former team. He has allowed 3 or fewer goals in 4 of his 6 starts.
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Blue Jackets vs. Avalanche picks and predictions
Prediction
Avalanche 5, Blue Jackets 2
Moneyline
The Avalanche (-250) will cost you over 2 1/2 times your potential return. While the defending champs should be able to ease by the defensively-challenged Blue Jackets (+195), Colorado hasn’t exactly been hitting on all cylinders. Remember, each of its last 6 games have been decided by just 1 goal.
PASS.
Puck line/Against the spread
The AVALANCHE -1.5 (-105) is much less pricey on the puck line. Although Colorado hasn’t won by 2 or more goals since a 6-3 win in Minnesota on Oct. 17, this is an offense which should be able to pile up the points against the struggling Blue Jackets +1.5 (-115).
The Jackets have Tampere-native Patrik Laine, and he’ll be trying to put on a show for the hometown fans, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see him score. But Colorado is just too deep on offense, and it will pull away in the 2nd and 3rd periods.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5 (-125) is the best play, especially since Merzlikins has been so very giving this season.
The Over has hit in 7 of the last 9 games overall for the Blue Jackets, while going 20-6-2 in the last 28 against the Western Conference dating back to last season.
The Under is just 4-1 in the last 5 games overall for the Avalanche, but the Over is 5-1-1 in Colorado’s last 7 meetings with Columbus.
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