The Columbus Blue Jackets (19-15-8) drop the puck on a four-game West Coast swing with a 10:30 p.m. ET tilt against the Los Angeles Kings (17-22-4) at Staples Center.
We analyze the Jackets-Kings odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.
Blue Jackets at Kings: Projected starting goalies
Elvis Merzlikins vs. Jonathan Quick
Merzlikins continues on as the Blue Jackets’ No. 1 goaltender while Joonas Korpisalo recovers from Dec. 31 surgery to repair a torn meniscus, which is expected to keep him out 4-6 weeks. Merzlikins — a 25-year-old rookie — is this far 2-1 in Korpisalo’s stead, logging a .945 save percentage in three starts. For the season, the 2014 third-rounder has logged a 2.94 GAA and .904 SV%.
Quick owns a 3.05 GAA and .894 SV% on the season. He’s been undone a bit by a low save rate on the PK. Quick hasn’t been in a game since Dec. 31; he has very good numbers this season when resting four days or more between appearances. The 33-year-old netminder has registered a nifty .920 SV% over his last five starts at home.
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Blue Jackets at Kings: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Monday at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Los Angeles 3, Columbus 2
Moneyline (ML)
Columbus is 4-8-3 against Western Conference foes this season. Yes, this particular opponent ranks last in the West with just 38 points through 43 games, but the Kings have exhibited some positive puck-possession trends of late and are a bit undervalued in general. The exchange of shots and quality looks has Columbus trending the other way.
Look for more from Quick in this one. Take LOS ANGELES (-110), although Monday-morning price fluctuations would suggest waiting for a better price.
New to sports betting? To make a $10 profit on the Kings to win straight up, one must bet $11.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Columbus plays a large percentage of one-goal games and is 14-5 against the puck line on the road. With Los Angeles at +1.5, -286, I will PASS on this one with the value so low.
Over/under (O/U)
The Jackets have played in six straight unders, and the under has prevailed in six of the Kings’ last seven home games. Expected-goal stats for both sides would indicate better days ahead for both goal scorers and netminders. The Jackets and Kings rank 29th and 30th, respectively, in 5-on-5 shooting percentage. Expect those figures to regress upward. Still, there are mixed signals in analyzing the game flow here. Will pass on the over 5.5 (+105)/under 5.5 (-125).
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