Columbus Blue Jackets betting odds line spread pick predictions best bets – Page 4

Philadelphia Flyers at Columbus Blue Jackets odds, picks & predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s Philadelphia Flyers at Columbus Blue Jackets odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Philadelphia Flyers (7-6-2) visit the Columbus Blue Jackets (4-9-1) in Tuesday night NHL action. Faceoff from Nationwide Arena is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Flyers vs. Blue Jackets odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

The Flyers are on a 3-game losing streak with their most recent 1 being a 5-1 loss Sunday to the Dallas Stars. The Flyers got off more shots and had more hits, but allowed the Stars to have almost triple the faceoff wins. Philadelphia now sits right in the middle of their divisional standings.

The Blue Jackets come into this matchup after dropping their last game on Saturday to the New York Islanders 4-3 in overtime despite having 17 more shots than the Islanders.

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Flyers 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 Tuesday at 2:43 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Flyers -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Blue Jackets +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Flyers -1.5 (+215) | Blue Jackets +1.5 (-280)
Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -101 | U: -120)

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Flyers at Blue Jackets projected goalies

Carter Hart (6-2-0, 2.18 GAA, .937 SV%) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (2-5-0, 4.82 GAA, .863 SV%)

In Hart’s last start on Saturday, he allowed 3 goals on 26 shots with a .885 SV% and 59 minutes on the ice in that 4-1 loss vs. the Ottawa Senators.

In Merzlikins’ last outing on Nov. 4 vs. the Avalanche, he allowed 5 goals on 35 shots with a .857 SV% and 57 minutes on the ice in a 6-3 loss.

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Flyers at Blue Jackets picks and predictions

Prediction

Flyers 4, Blue Jackets 2

Moneyline

BET FLYERS -120

There are multiple reasons why I believe this bet is the safest, but the main 1 is that the Flyers are simply a better team. The Flyers are looking for a much needed win to end their losing streak and this game vs. an inferior team seems like the perfect opportunity for them to do so. The Blue Jackets already won the 1st game of the season series and I don’t see them taking both of their early matchups vs. this Flyers squad.

Puck line/Against the spread

LEAN FLYERS -1.5 (+215)

The Flyers offense has been inconsistent as of late, some games they can come out and score 5 goals and other times they have games where they score 1 goal. To end their losing streak they will need to put up at least 4 goals and silence the crowd. The Blue Jackets don’t have a great offense or a great defense and Merzlikins, while he has been their best goalie, isn’t great.

Over/Under

AVOID

With both teams having inconsistency on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ice I can’t put a lot of stock in this bet. Avoiding this bet seems best, but if you really like betting the Over/Under then lean under for the sheer fact I have little faith in either offense to put up a good amount of goals.

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Colorado Avalanche vs. Columbus Blue Jackets odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Colorado Avalanche odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Colorado Avalanche (5-4-1) and the Columbus Blue Jackets (3-8-0) meet again Saturday 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 Avalanche vs. Blue Jackets odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

The Avalanche doubled up the Blue Jackets by a 6-3 score in Friday’s game in front of the rabid Finnish fans. For an extra treat, Colorado’s RW Mikko Rantanen, born in Nousiainen, Finland, notched a hat trick in the win, and Columbus RW Patrik Laine also lit the lamp in his hometown.

Colorado snapped a 2-game mini skid with the win and cashed the Over for the 2nd straight outing.

The good news is that Columbus scored 3 goals on Friday. The bad news is that it lost for the 4th consecutive game, and the Jackets have been outscored 23-7 over that span.

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Avalanche vs. 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 7:10 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Avalanche -260 (bet $260 to win $100) | Blue Jackets +205 (bet $100 to win $205)
Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche -1.5 (-110) | Blue Jackets +1.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -130 | U: +105)

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Avalanche vs. Blue Jackets projected goalies

Pavel Francouz (0-3-0, 3.08 GAA, .898 SV%) vs. Joonas Korpisalo (7-11-0, 4.15 GAA, .877 SV% in 2021-22)

Francouz was on the short end of a hard-luck loss in New Jersey Oct. 28, allowing just a single goal on 23 shots in a 1-0 setback. After a disastrous first appearance in Calgary on the 2nd end of a back-to-back, he has allowed just 4 goals on 61 shots in his past 2 starts.

Korpisalo, the native of Pori, Finland, gets his first start of the season. He last faced the Avalanche Nov. 3, 2021, allowing 4 goals on 32 shots in a 5-4 OT win in Denver last season.

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Avalanche vs. Blue Jackets picks and predictions

Prediction

Avalanche 5, Blue Jackets 2

Moneyline

The difference here is going to be goaltending, and that’s a huge advantage for the Avalanche (-260). However, Colorado will cost you more than 2 1/2 times your potential return, and that’s just too much.

PASS.

Puck line/Against the spread

The AVALANCHE -1.5 (-110) are a great play with Francouz, who is more of a 1A netminder rather than a backup. The Blue Jackets give Korpisalo the nod, and while it’s a great story for the Finn making his first start of the season in Tampere, he was a disaster last season.

Colorado is playing better hockey, and it has the better goaltender in the crease. It doubled up Columbus on Friday, and they’ll likely treat the Jackets poorly again here, too.

Over/Under

OVER 6.5 (-130) is a strong play, especially with the sieve Korpisalo in the crease.

The Over has cashed in 8 of the past 10 games overall for the Jackets, and it is 21-6-2 in their last 29 against Western Conference foes dating back to last season.

The Over has also cashed at a 6-1-1 clip in the previous 8 meetings in this series. Lean Over yet again.

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Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Colorado Avalanche odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Colorado Avalanche odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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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Columbus Blue Jackets at New Jersey Devils odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s Columbus Blue Jackets at New Jersey Devils odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Columbus Blue Jackets (3-6-0) travel to the Prudential Center to face off against the New Jersey Devils (5-3-0) Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Blue Jackets vs. Devils odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

The Blue Jackets come into this game on a 2-game losing streak — 4-0 to the Boston Bruins on Friday after a 6-3 loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday.

The Devils come in on a 2-game winning streak — beating the defending champion Colorado Avalanche 1-0 on Friday after a 6-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday.

This will be a game of differing styles. The Devils still play the trap defense and slow progression play of the past. The Blue Jackets try to play more fast paced with more scoring opportunities. The team who sets the pace will be the winner of this matchup on Sunday.

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Blue Jackets at Devils odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:26 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Blue Jackets +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Devils -210 (bet $210 to win $100)
Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jackets +1.5 (-140) | Devils -1.5 (+115)
Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -130 | U: +105)

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Blue Jackets at Devils projected goalies

Elvis Merzlikins (2-3-0, 4.31 GAA, .863SV%) vs. Vitek Vanecek (2-1-0, 2.40GAA, .889SV%)

Merzlikins has given up 4 goals in each of his last 2 starts. On Friday against Boston, he gave up those 4 goals on 29 shots. On Tuesday, after giving up 4 goals on only 12 shots, he was pulled in the 6-3 loss to Arizona.

Vanecek has given up a total of 2 goals in his last 2 starts. After allowing 2 goals on 22 shots on Tuesday against Detroit, he shut out Colorado on 24 shots on goal.

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Blue Jackets at Devils picks and predictions

Prediction

Devils 5, Blue Jackets 2

Moneyline

AVOID.

The Devils’ (-210) price is too high to make a wager on and the Blue Jackets (+165) cannot be trusted in this matchup.

Puck line/Against the spread

BET DEVILS -1.5 (+115).

The Devils and Vanecek have the upper hand in this game.

Coming in on a 2-game winning streak, the Devils will be able to score on Merzlikins and his 4.31 GAA.

With the Blue Jackets giving up 10 goals in their last 2 games to only 2 given up by the Devils, this should be a good spot for the DEVILS to cover the -1.5 (+115) puck line.

This is my FAVORITE PLAY in this game.

Over/Under

SKIP.

With the goalie play of the Blue Jackets lacking, this game can go Over 6.5 as the odds predict. But with the Devils’ tendency to play slow and to not allow many shots (23 on average in the last 2 games), I do not see the Blue Jackets getting enough opportunity to do so.

Despite Columbus being 6-3 to the Over of its posted totals and New Jersey being 4-4, this game feels like a bet on the Under if at all. With as bad as the Columbus goaltending has been, I do not want to bet on this either. This is a skip for me.

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Boston Bruins at Columbus Blue Jackets odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s Boston Bruins at Columbus Blue Jackets odds and lines, with NHL expert picks and predictions.

The Boston Bruins (7-1-0) and Columbus Blue Jackets (3-5-0) tangle at Nationwide Arena Friday. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. ET (NHL Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Bruins vs. Blue Jackets odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Boston took down the Detroit Red Wings 5-1 Thursday and has won 4 consecutive games. The surging Bruins have scored 3 goals or more in 7 of their 8 games. They have piled up 36.0 shots on goal per game since Oct. 15, and their powerplay ranks 9th in the NHL with 8 goals in 32 opportunities (25%).

The Blue Jackets last played Tuesday when they lost 6-3 at home to the Arizona Coyotes. Columbus has yielded 12 goals over its last 2 losses, and its season goals-against average of 4.1 ranks 27th in the league.

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Bruins 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 12:45 p.m. ET.

Moneyline: Bruins -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Blue Jackets +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Bruins -1.5 (+150) | Blue Jackets +1.5 (-190)
Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Bruins at Blue Jackets projected goalies

Linus Ullmark (5-0-0, 2.01 GAA, .936 SV%) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (2-2-0, 4.06 GAA, .863 SV%)

Ullmark owns a .914 SV% across 8 years in the NHL. He’s been quite good away from home the last couple of seasons (.920 SV% last season) and is coming off a strong home start against the Dallas Stars Tuesday (30 saves on 31 shots).

Merzlikins is coming off a 23-minute relief appearance Tuesday and has not started since Saturday when he coughed up 6 goals in a home start against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He owns a .919 SV% over 63 career home games.

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Bruins at Blue Jackets picks and predictions

Prediction

Blue Jackets 4, Bruins 3

Moneyline

Look for a high-energy game from a Blue Jackets group that has been banged up in the early going.

An older Boston club is playing its 3rd game in 4 days. That last happened Oct. 18, when the Bruins laid an egg and lost to the Ottawa Senators 7-5.

Boston has puck possession and shot-quality figures that don’t fully support the fast start; Columbus has better analytics than scoreboard margins, especially over the team’s last 5 or 6 games.

Early-season winning road teams are often profitable fades in the NHL.

BACK THE BLUE JACKETS (+120).

Puck line/Against the spread

The set-up for this one does not scream a tight 3-2 game, and the juice isn’t too enticing either. So, peg the ML as the better risk/reward. PASS.

Over/Under

Ullmark has been a bit more up-and-down than his overall numbers might suggest, and Merzlikins is certainly off to a shaky start.

The Over is a lean, but the price here is exorbitant. PASS.

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Arizona Coyotes at Columbus Blue Jackets odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s Arizona Coyotes at Columbus Blue Jackets odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Arizona Coyotes (1-4) visit the Columbus Blue Jackets (3-4) in a battle of 2 teams looking to turn around their season after tough starts. Faceoff from Nationwide Arena is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Coyotes vs. Blue Jackets odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

The Coyotes are looking like one of the worst teams in the NHL. They have lost 2 in a row at 2 different points of the season already. Their lone win was 4-2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 17 in their 3rd game of the season. They have lost 3 games by a 6-2 score, including both of their last 2, and have allowed 6 goals in each of their losses so far.

The Blue Jackets currently sit 2nd-to-last in the division, only above the N.Y. Islanders. They have won 3 of their last 4, with the lone loss during that span coming against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 22 (6-3). In their last 2 wins they have scored 5 goals and allowed 3 goals or less. After starting their season with 3 straight losses, the Blue Jackets are looking to get to .500.

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Coyotes 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 1:54 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Coyotes +175 (bet $100 to win $175) | Blue Jackets -220 (bet $220 to win $100)
Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Coyotes +1.5 (-135) | Blue Jackets -1.5 (+110)
Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -125 | U: +100)

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Coyotes at Blue Jackets projected goalies

Karel Vejmelka (1-3-0, 4.77 GAA, .877 SV%) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (2-2-0, 4.19 GAA, .864 SV%)

In his last outing against the Senators on Oct. 22, Vejmelka allowed 6 goals on 32 shot attempts. His save percentage was .813% which was the lowest he has totaled the whole season.

In his last outing vs. the Penguins on Oct. 22, Merzlikins allowed 6 goals on 39 shot attempts. His .846 SV% in that game was his second worse on the season, only behind is .800 SV% vs. the Blues on Oct. 15th.

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Coyotes at Blue Jackets picks and predictions

Prediction

Blue Jackets 5, Coyotes 2

Moneyline

AVOID.

Expect the Blue Jackets to win this game, but don’t put too much stock into it. Neither of these teams is impressive. The Blue Jackets, however, are the better team in this game and that coupled with them being at home and being relatively hot right now does give them an edge. Way too much risk in this bet for me to advise you to bet here.

Puck line/Against the spread

BET BLUE JACKETS -1.5 (+110)

Neither team has a great defense or goalie, but the Blue Jackets do have a better offense. While neither offense is spectacular, the Blue Jackets have managed to put up more goals and have played a few more games than the Coyotes which has allowed them to get into a sort of rhythm that they will use to their advantage in this game. Expect the Blue Jackets to be able to cover the spread with their superior offense and the Coyotes inferior defense and offense.

Over/Under

LEAN OVER 6.5 (-125)

I don’t love either bet in this game honestly. Both of these teams are underwhelming and either 1 could score 6 goals on a given night. I could easily see both of these defenses allowing a hefty amount of goals as both teams have done in their losses all season. The Blue Jackets defense is better than the Coyotes defense which does give them an edge. The Coyotes routinely allow 6 goals in their losses and I wouldn’t be surprised to see that again in this game.

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Nashville Predators at Columbus Blue Jackets odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Thursday’s Nashville Predators at Columbus Blue Jackets odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Nashville Predators (2-2-1) take a short trip to face the Columbus Blue Jackets (1-3-0) Thursday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Predators vs. Blue Jackets odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

The Preds have dropped 3 in a row after 2 wins against the San Jose Sharks to open their season. They fell 4-1 and 5-1 to the Dallas Stars and 4-3 to the Los Angeles Kings in overtime. They were 1-0-1 against Columbus last year with a 6-0 victory and 4-3 shootout loss. C Mikael Granlund leads the team with 5 points – all assists. RW Nino Niederreiter has paced the offense with 4 goals.

The Blue Jackets secured their 1st win of the season with a 4-3 overtime win Tuesday over the Vancouver Canucks. LW Johnny Gaudreau leads the team with 4 points in what has been a really slow start. The Blue Jackets have scored more than 2 goals just once in 4 games.

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Predators at Blue Jackets odds

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:01 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Predators -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Blue Jackets +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Predators -1.5 (+150) | Blue Jackets +1.5 (-190)
Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Predators at Blue Jackets projected goalies

Juuse Saros (1-2-1, 3.00 GAA, .897 SV%, 0 SO) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (1-1-1, 3.89 GAA, .867 SV%, 0 SO)

It has been a rough start for Saros, who has allowed at least 3 goals in his last 3 starts. He shut out the Blue Jackets in his lone start against them last season with 27 saves. His 2021-22 season was cut short due to a lower-body injury, and he’s clearly still getting his legs under him. This will be a litmus test game for him as Columbus has had trouble scoring.

Merzlikins looked more like himself in a 4-3 overtime win against Vancouver last time out. He allowed 5 goals in St. Louis’ home opener in his only other start. He had a mixed bag against Nashville last season with a 4-3 shootout win with 31 stops and a game in which he was pulled 13 minutes into after allowed 3 goals on 9 shots.

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Predators at Blue Jackets picks and predictions

Prediction

Predators 3, Blue Jackets 2

Moneyline

The Preds take this one. They’re 49-19 over the last 68 meetings, and Columbus being without RW Patrik Laine is really stinging. The PREDATORS (-150) is at a solid price here. Take advantage of it because this line should be about -160 if Saros were in midseason form.

Puck line/Against the spread

There’s nothing to see here. The Preds aren’t clicking enough to back them dispatching a team by 2 goals on the road. And Columbus’ -190 is out of the price range.

PASS.

Over/Under

There are some Over trends here, but Nashville isn’t playing well enough for me to side with them. The Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Columbus, and if this were a 5.5 line, I might take a stab at it. Columbus has 9 goals in 4 games, and Nashville has 5 goals in the last 3 games. We’ll take the UNDER 6.5 (-105).

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Vancouver Canucks at Columbus Blue Jackets odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s Vancouver Canucks at Columbus Blue Jackets odds and lines, with NHL expert picks and predictions.

The Vancouver Canucks (0-3) and Columbus Blue Jackets (0-3) meet Tuesday. Puck drop at Nationwide Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Canucks vs. Blue Jackets odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

The Canucks are playing for a 2nd straight day after dropping a 6-4 decision at the Washington Capitals Monday. Vancouver’s puck-possession numbers have been solid, but the club has been undone by a penalty-killing unit that is operating at a 50% rate and has allowed 6 goals.

The Blue Jackets have had a couple of days off after playing 3 games in 4 days from Wednesday-Saturday. Columbus lost all 3 games by a combined score of 14-5.

The Canucks and Jackets split a pair of games last season.

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Canucks 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 1:10 p.m. ET.

Moneyline: Canucks -112 (bet $112 to win $100) | Blue Jackets -108 (bet $108 to win $100)
Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Canucks +1.5 (-260) | Blue Jackets -1.5 (+205)
Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -101 | U: -120)

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Canucks at Blue Jackets projected goalies

Spencer Martin (3-2-4, 2.58 GAA, .924 SV% in career) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (0-1-0, 5.00 GAA, .800 SV%)

Martin makes his 1st start of the season. He started just 6 games for the Canucks last season but logged 25 AHL games with a 2.43 GAA and .914 SV%.

Merzlikins made 20 saves on 25 shots in a 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues Saturday. That contest — tied 2-2 midway through the 3rd frame — was his 1st start of the season due to illness.

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Canucks at Blue Jackets picks and predictions

Prediction

Canucks 3, Blue Jackets 2

Moneyline

Vancouver’s puck-possession numbers are too solid to ignore. The Blue Jackets haven’t been drawing a ton of penalties, so perhaps the PK issues don’t sway the game too much the other way.

Merzlikins may not be in peak form after his illness.

BET VANCOUVER (-112).

Puck line/Against the spread

PASS, although the Canucks +1.5 would be a decent play for bettors with larger bankrolls if it reached -250 or better.

Over/Under

No lean either way, although both sides have been leaky so far. Look for things to be tightened up a bit, and an under-shaded 6.5 feels right.

PASS.

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Columbus Blue Jackets at St. Louis Blues odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s Columbus Blue Jackets at St. Louis Blues odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Columbus Blue Jackets (0-2) hit the Gateway City to face the St. Louis Blues (0-0) in a Saturday matchup at Enterprise Center. Faceoff is slated for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Blue Jackets vs. Blues, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

The Blue Jackets are off to a rough start after 4-1 and 5-2 losses to the Carolina Hurricanes Wednesday and Tampa Bay Lightning Friday, respectively. The sledding doesn’t get any easier with another playoff team in the Blues in the Jackets’ way.

Columbus is reeling without RW Patrik Laine, who will miss a month with an upper-body injury suffered in the Carolina loss. Newly acquired LW Johnny Gaudreau has 1 goal as his only point thus far, and he can get hot at any time.

The Blues enter the season with chips on their shoulders. The media seemingly writing them off is only going to intensify it with some national outlets questioning whether they’ll make the playoffs.

They lost RW David Perron and G Ville Husso to Detroit in the offseason and only made nominal changes to their fourth line. All-World RW Vladimir Tarasenko returns in a contract year, and the team re-signed young studs C Robert Thomas and RW Jordan Kyrou to 8-year pacts in the offseason.

The real question is which G Jordan Binnington will we have? Regular-season mode or the unstoppable version before injured last playoffs?

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Blue Jackets at Blues odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:34 p.m. ET.

Moneyline: Blue Jackets +195 (bet $100 to win $195) | Blues -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jackets +1.5 (-117) | Blues -1.5 (-103)
Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Blue Jackets at Blues projected goalies

Elvis Merzlikins (2021-22 stats: 27-23-7, 3.22 GAA, .907 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Jordan Binnington (2021-22 stats: 18-14-4, 3.13 GAA, .901 SV%, 2 SO)

Merzlikins missed the first 2 games of the season due to illness. He was awesome down the stretch, though his record doesn’t support it. He was 5-6 with a 2.55 GAA and .926 SV% in 12 April starts. He stopped 19 of 21 shots in a 5-4 win over St. Louis last March.

Binner was 7-7-2 with a 3.13 GAA at Enterprise last season, and he was particularly strong last October. He was 5-1 with a 2.52 GAA and .926 SV% in the opening month last year. He was 4-1 with a 1.72 GAA and .949 SV% in the playoffs before suffering a season-ending knee injury. If that never happens, we could be talking about the Blues as Stanley Cup champs.

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Blue Jackets at Blues picks and predictions

Prediction

Blues 5, Blue Jackets 2

Moneyline

The Blues were 26-10-5 at home last season, and they’re still returning six 20-goal scorers. They’ll be fine lighting the lamp, and their athletic blue line moves the puck well. Binnington is the real wild card, but it shouldn’t matter in this one.

However, there’s too much juice on the Blues, so let’s go with BLUES OVER 3.5 TOTAL GOALS (-130) REGULATION TIME.

Puck line/Against the spread

Columbus is just 5-21 lifetime in St. Louis. The Blue Jackets would have more of a chance if Laine were able to play as he has 16 goals, 5 assists and a plus-minus of +9 in 17 games against the Blues in his career. The Blues were 27-20 on the puck line at home last season, and at close to even money, I’ll LEAN BLUES -1.5 (-103).

Over/Under

I’d much rather wait for the puck to drop to take an Over 5.5 because the Blues were a dominant 2nd-period team last season. That’s where the value was. The Over is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings between these teams, and Binnington has some proving to do in net.

LEAN OVER 6.5 (-115).

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Tampa Bay Lightning at Columbus Blue Jackets odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s Tampa Bay Lightning at Columbus Blue Jackets odds and lines, with NHL expert picks and predictions.

The Tampa Bay Lightning (0-1-0) and Columbus Blue Jackets (0-1-0) lock horns in a 7 p.m. ET game at Nationwide Arena Friday night. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Lightning at Blue Jackets, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Tampa Bay is opening its season with 3 straight games on the road. The Lightning lost 3-1 at the New York Rangers in a Tuesday battle to open its season. The Bolts allowed 39 shots in that game.

The Blue Jackets opened their season Wednesday with a 4-1 loss at the Carolina Hurricanes. Columbus struggled on faceoffs and coughed up 43 shots in that opener. The Jackets now return to Nationwide Arena where last year they went 21-15-5.

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Lightning 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 4:42 p.m. ET.

Moneyline: Lightning -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | Blue Jackets +160 (bet $100 to win $160)
Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Lightning -1.5 (+120) | Blue Jackets +1.5 (-150)
Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +105 | U: -130)

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Lightning at Blue Jackets projected goalies

Andre Vasilevskiy (0-1-0, 3.11 GAA, .923 SV%) vs. Daniil Tarasov (0-1-0, 4.00 GAA, .907 SV%)

Vasilevskiy owns a fine .921 SV% since the 2018-19 season. He’s registered a sparking .928 career mark against the Blue Jackets.

Tarasov played in 4 games as a rookie last season. He clocked a .937 SV%. The 23-year-old faced 43 shots, stopping 39, in the Blue Jackets’ opener.

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Lightning at Blue Jackets picks and predictions

Prediction

Lightning 3, Blue Jackets 2

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