Tag: Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New Jersey Devils odds predictions pick betting line spread

The Columbus Blue Jackets (15-15-1) and New Jersey Devils (13-16-5) meet Thursday in Newark, N.J. Puck drop at Prudential Center is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Blue Jackets vs. Devils odds and lines and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.

Columbus returned from a 13-day COVID-19 hiatus with a 4-3 shootout win over the Nashville Predators Dec. 30. However, the Blue Jackets have since been shellacked by a combined score of 14-6 in two losses to the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Devils had a three-game win streak snapped when they lost at the Boston Bruins Tuesday. New Jersey has yielded 5 or more in eight of its last 15 games; the club has allowed 4.20 goals per game over that time.

Thursday’s game in Newark marks the front end of a home-and-home. The Devils and Jackets will meet in Columbus Saturday.

Blue Jackets at Devils odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:20 a.m. ET.

• Money line: Blue Jackets +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Devils -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
• Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jackets +1.5 (-230) | Devils -1.5 (+170)
• Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -125)

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Blue Jackets at Devils projected goalies

Joonas Korpisalo (3-5-0, 4.14 GAA, .881 SV%) vs. Mackenzie Blackwood (8-7-3, 3.32 GAA, .895 SV%, 2 SO)

Korpisalo has not delivered since logging a .911 SV% and 2.60 GAA for the 2019-20 Blue Jackets. The 27-year-old has posted lackluster numbers in and around significant time missed due to a COVID-19 illness.

He’s between the pipes now with G Elvis Merzlikins (lower body) and G Daniil Tarasov (lower body) sidelined with injuries and was allowed to go the distance in allowing 7 goals to the Lightning on Tuesday.

Blackwood stopped 29 shots in Tuesday’s 5-3 loss to the Bruins. He’s been solid against shots from distance but undone on high-danger looks from in close. His overall numbers have been protected, however, because New Jersey does credible work in preventing those attempts.

Blue Jackets at Devils odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Devils 5, Blue Jackets 3

Money line

AVOID. The Devils are the lean, but the pricing on the puck line is more competitive for bettors who can chance the multi-goal differential.

Against the spread

Columbus is 1-7-0 across its last eight road games, and some of those seven losses have been clunky efforts from an analytic-metrics standpoint.

New Jersey has been inconsistent, but the Devils have posted solid puck-possession numbers on their good nights.

Both sides are banged up with injuries on the blue line, and there are plenty of questions in net. Figure DEVILS -1.5 (+170) as being worth a look as the best side in this one.

Over/Under

The Over is 4-0 in the Jackets’ last four road games, and it’s 4-0 in New Jersey’s last four overall.

The Columbus offense is a bit undervalued in general, and the injury issues for both teams are among key defensemen and goalies. TAKE THE OVER 6.5 (+100).

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Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

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The Columbus Blue Jackets (4-3-0) face the New Jersey Devils (4-2-0) Sunday at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Puck drop is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Blue Jackets vs. Devils odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.

The Blue Jackets were blanked 4-0 Friday at Madison Square Garden by the New York Rangers, and have totaled just five goals scored across their last three outings. The Under is 5-1 across the last six for Columbus.

The Devils doubled up the Penguins on the road Saturday. New Jersey has alternated wins and losses in each of its last five outings. The Under is 2-1-2 across the past five contests.

Blue Jackets at Devils odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:45 a.m. ET.

• Money line: Blue Jackets +102 (bet $100 to win $102) | Devils -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
• Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jackets +1.5 (-280) | Devils -1.5 (+195)
• Over/Under (O/U): OTB

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Blue Jackets at Devils projected goalies

Elvis Merzlikins (4-1-0, 1.98 GAA, .939 SV%) vs. Scott Wedgewood (0-2-0, 3.45 GAA, .878 SV%)

Merzlikins was on the short end of Friday’s loss against the Rangers. However, he made 33 saves, the third time this season he’s made 33 or more saves, as he faced his second-highest shot total of the season.

Wedgewood has been on the short end in each of his two appearances. He stopped 20 of 22 shots in a relief appearance Tuesday against the Calgary Flames.

Blue Jackets at Devils odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Blue Jackets 4, Devils 2

Money line

The BLUE JACKETS (+102) are short ‘dogs on the road, but the goaltender matchup is squarely in their favor. Merzlikins has been on fire, and the trends are also very much in the favor of the road team.

Columbus is 21-7 in the past 28 meetings with New Jersey, and it is 6-1 in the past seven trips to Newark.

Against the spread

The Blue Jackets +1.5 (-280) are way too expensive, costing you nearly three times your potential return if you want a little bit of insurance. If you like the Jackets, just play them straight up.

AVOID.

Over/Under

This total has come off the board but it was listed at 6.5 at the time of writing.

If it opens back up at that number then UNDER 6.5 (-130) is the lean here. Merzlikins hasn’t allowed much of anything. While the Blueshirts got to him in his most recent start, no one is going to confuse New Jersey’s mediocre offense with that of the Rangers.

The Under is also 6-2 in the previous eight meetings in this series, and 8-2-2 in the past 12 battles in Newark, so the trends are in your favor, too.

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow @WinWithJoe on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

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