Columbus Blue Jackets at Detroit Red Wings odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Tuesday’s Columbus Blue Jackets at Detroit Red Wings NHL betting odds and lines, with hockey picks, tips and predictions.

The Columbus Blue Jackets (1-2-0) and Detroit Red Wings (1-2-0) square off Tuesday for a 7:30 p.m. ET puck drop at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Below, we analyze the Blue Jackets-Red Wings NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Blue Jackets at Red Wings: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:04 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Blue Jackets -175 (bet $175 to win $100) | Red Wings +150 (bet $100 to win $150)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Blue Jackets -1.5 (+155) | Red Wings +1.5 (-190)
  • Over/Under: 5.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)

Blue Jackets at Red Wings: Projected starting goalies

Elvis Merzlikins (0-1-0, 5.00 GAA, .848 SV%) vs. Jonathan Bernier (1-0-0, 2.00 GAA, .935 SV%)

Merzlikins will be in the building Tuesday, and he is expected to be in the crease in the back-to-back situation. He’ll be looking to avenge a 5-2 loss in Nashville on Saturday, as he allowed five goals on 33 shots in the setback. Joonas Korpisalo picked up the team’s first win Monday, but it isn’t ideal for him to come right back and start in a back-to-back situation.

Bernier turned aside 29 of the 31 shots he faced in his first start Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes, and he’ll look to get the Wings back into the win column after a 3-2 loss to the Jackets on Monday afternoon. He lost his only start against the Jackets in Columbus last season, allowing four goals on 38 shots in a 5-3 loss on Dec. 17, 2019.

Get some action on this game or any NHL matchup with a legal, online bet at BetMGM in CO, IA, IN, NJ, PA, TN and WV. Risk-free first bet up to $500, paid in free bets. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Blue Jackets at Red Wings: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Blue Jackets 4, Red Wings 2

Money line (ML)

The BLUE JACKETS (-175) got well against the Red Wings (+150) Monday afternoon, winning by a narrow 3-2 margin behind Korpisalo. Merzlikins will look to get back into the win column, and his offense should be able to generate plenty of opportunities against the Red Wings. Look for a comfortable road win. The Blue Jackets have won 21 of the previous 26 meetings in this series, and seven in a row in the Motor City.

Against the spread (ATS)

The BLUE JACKETS -1.5 (+155) are worth a roll of the dice at this price point, although it might take a late empty-net goal to get you over the hump. Go with a small-unit play backing the road side.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 5.5 (+100) is also worth a look on a small-unit bet. Monday’s front end of the double-dip went Under by a touch, but we should have some tired legs on defense with both teams playing in a back-to-back. That will likely lead to more scoring chances and that should be enough to get this one Over the total.

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Columbus Blue Jackets at Nashville Predators odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s Columbus Blue Jackets at Nashville Predators NHL betting odds and lines, with hockey picks, tips and predictions.

The Columbus Blue Jackets (0-1-0) and Nashville Predators (1-0-0) play the second half of their back-to-back at Bridgestone Arena Saturday. Puck drop will be at 8 p.m. ET following Nashville’s 3-1 victory Thursday night. Below, we analyze the Blue Jackets-Predators NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

The Blue Jackets opened the scoring 9:24 into the first period Thursday but the Predators scored once each in the second and third periods before adding an empty-netter with 93 seconds left on the clock.

Blue Jackets at Predators: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:45 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Blue Jackets +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Predators -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Blue Jackets +1.5 (-275) | Predators -1.5 (+225)
  • Over/Under: 5.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Blue Jackets at Predators: Projected starting goalies

Elvis Merzlikins (2019-20 stats: 13-9-8, .923 SV%, 2.35 GAA) vs. Juuse Saros (1-0-0, .967 SV%, 1.00 GAA)

Merzlikins will split time with Joonas Korpisalo and figures to start the second game of the season after Korpisalo allowed 2 goals on 34 shots Thursday. Merzlikins, 26, finished fifth in both Calder Trophy and Vezina Trophy voting while making 33 appearances last year.

Saros stopped 29 of the 30 shots he faced Thursday. He’s expected to take over the No. 1 job from veteran Pekka Rinne in his fifth full season in the NHL. He made a career-high 40 appearances last year with a 17-12-4 record, .914 save percentage and 2.70 goals against average.

Get some action on this game or any NHL matchup with a legal, online bet at BetMGM in CO, IA, IN, NJ, PA, TN and WV. Risk-free first bet up to $500, paid in free bets. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Blue Jackets at Predators: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Predators 3, Blue Jackets 1

Money line (ML)

The PREDATORS (-115) will make it back-to-back wins to open the season against their Central Division rivals. They outshot the Jackets 35-30 Thursday with a spirited third-period effort. Nashville had 18 scoring chances to 15 for Columbus, according to NaturalStatTrick.com.

Thursday’s game figures to be the style of play both teams want to replicate throughout the 2021 season. Both teams will look to rely on goaltending and defense, but the Predators have the superior top-end talent on offense and will be more opportunistic.

Against the spread (ATS)

It took an empty-netter for Nashville to win by 2 goals Thursday, but that’s very much in the cards once again Saturday. Back the PREDATORS -1.5 (+225) while counting on Saros to win another goaltending battle against the less-experienced Merzlikins.

Over/Under (O/U)

As mentioned, these two teams will lean on defensive play and have the personnel on defense and in net to do so. Back the UNDER 5.5 (-115) in what will be another goaltending duel.

The teams also combined for just 5 power-play opportunities Thursday. Few chances with the man advantage will help keep scoring down.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Esten McLaren on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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