The Detroit Red Wings (13-38-4) are coming off a rare victory Thursday as they head into Nationwide Arena to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets (29-16-9) Friday. Puck drop is set for shortly after 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Red Wings-Blue Jackets sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Red Wings at Blue Jackets: Projected starting goalies
Jimmy Howard vs. Elvis Merzlikins
Howard should return to the crease Friday after Jonathan Bernier stopped 29 of 32 shots on goal in Thursday’s win. Howard is just 2-20-2 on the season with a .884 save percentage and 4.12 goals against average. His last win was Oct. 29.
Merzlikins is emerging as one of the best young goalies in the NHL and a real contender for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year. He is 11-6-4 with a .929 SV% and 2.30 GAA. He leads the league with four shutouts.
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Red Wings at Blue Jackets: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Blue Jackets 6, Red Wings 1
Moneyline (ML)
The Red Wings (+280) have won at least two games in a row just four times on the season. Bernier played Thursday and has made three straight starts, likely meaning the Wings will have to turn to the lesser half of their goaltending tandem in Howard. Detroit is just 5-20-2 on the road following Thursday’s victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
The Blue Jackets are an easy pick to win the game, but at -358 they’re not worth the small risk for a bet. PASS on the moneyline, and focus your investments on the spread.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Jackets to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of just $3.30.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Take the BLUE JACKETS (-1.5, -106) to win by at least 2 goals Friday for a much better return on your investment. The Jackets won the first two head-to-head meetings of the year by a combined score of 10-7, winning by two goals Dec. 17 at Nationwide.
Columbus is 30-24 against the spread overall but just 11-17 at home, while the Wings are 22-33 ATS overall and 11-16 on the road. Thursday’s win snapped a nine-game losing streak for the Wings, in which they lost by 2 or more goals on seven occasions.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the OVER 5.5 (-106) and count on the Jackets to approach this total all on their own. Howard gives up more than 4 goals per game. Merzlikines is coming off a shutout win over the Florida Panthers Tuesday, but we’re likely to need only a goal from the Wings to hit this Over rather easily.
Esten’s NHL betting record: 207-196
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