The Columbus Blue Jackets (32-21-14) visit the Calgary Flames (34-26-7) Wednesday at Scotiabank Saddledome for an 8:30 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Blue Jackets-Flames sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Blue Jackets at Flames: Projected starting goalies
Joonas Korpisalo vs. David Rittich
Korpisalo is 2-1-0 since returning to the lineup Feb. 24. He stopped 36 of 39 shots faced in a win over the Vancouver Canucks Sunday. He is 19-11-4 with a .911 save percentage and 2.58 goals against average through 33 starts and two relief appearances this season.
Rittich has allowed four goals in three of his last five starts while going 2-2-1. He is 24-16-6 with a .907 SV% and 2.94 GAA through 47 starts on the season.
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Blue Jackets at Flames: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 12:20 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Blue Jackets 4, Flames 3
Moneyline (ML)
Both teams are coming off Sunday wins, as the Blue Jackets (+155) topped the Canucks 5-3 on home ice, and the Flames (-189) blanked the Florida Panthers 3-0 on the road. Calgary starts a five-game homestand Wednesday and Columbus begins a three-game swing through Western Canada.
Back the BLUE JACKETS (+145) at good value. While the Flames hold third spot in the Pacific Division and the Jackets are fifth in the Metropolitan Division, Columbus has a better overall record with both teams having played 67 games. The Jackets are 12-9-10 on the road and the Flames are 14-12-4 at home. Calgary earned a 3-0 win in Columbus Nov. 2, but side with the visitors to earn the split in the season series.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Blue Jackets to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $15.50.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The BLUE JACKETS (+1.5, -167) should be backed with 1 goal of insurance while on the road. They’re 21-10 ATS as visitors this season, while the Flames (-1.5, +140) are just 9-21 ATS at home.
Columbus ranks ninth in the NHL with a Corsi For Percentage of 51.73 at 5-on-5 since Feb. 4. Calgary is 13th with a shot-attempt rate of 50.68.
Over/Under (O/U)
Back the OVER 5.5 (-125) with both teams having topped the projected total in eight of their last 10 games.
Esten’s NHL betting record: 266-246
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