The Detroit Red Wings (17-25-8) travel to meet the Columbus Blue Jackets (15-25-10) Tuesday with a 7 p.m. ET puck drop at Nationwide Arena. Below, we analyze the Red Wings-Blue Jackets odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.
The Red Wings dropped seven goals on the Dallas Stars Thursday, winning at home by four, but they were back to their non-scoring ways in a 2-1 overtime loss Saturday in the rematch. Even with the seven goals in the win, they are averaging just 2.4 goals per game across the past five.
The Blue Jackets saw G Joonas Korpisalo exit with a lower-body injury last time out as things go from bad to worse. Columbus has now dropped nine in a row, including seven in regulation. The Jackets were also swept in Detroit March 27-28, getting outscored 7-2.
Red Wings at Blue Jackets: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Red Wings +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Blue Jackets -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Red Wings +1.5 (-225) | Blue Jackets -1.5 (+180)
- Over/Under: 5 (O: -135 | U: +110)
Red Wings at Blue Jackets: Projected starting goalies
Thomas Greiss (6-15-7, 2.95 GAA, .904 SV%) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (6-12-3, 2.94 GAA, .910 SV%, 1 SO)
Greiss has a poor W-L-T record overall, but he has deserved so much better. He has allowed three or fewer goals in each of his past three outings, and nine of his past 10 starts. He is 0-1-0 with a 2.34 GAA and .921 SV% in one start and one relief appearances vs. Columbus.
Merzlikins will man the crease as long as Korpisalo is on the shelf. The 27-year-old Latvian backstop hasn’t won in seven starts dating back to March 30 at the Tampa Bay Lightning. He is also 0-2-1 with a 2.72 GAA and .909 SV% in three starts against Detroit this season.
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Red Wings at Blue Jackets: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Red Wings 3, Blue Jackets 2
Money line (ML)
The RED WINGS (+120) are worth a roll of the dice as they’ve been playing much better than their counterparts lately. Starting with a stunning 5-1 road win at Tampa Bay as heavy dogs, Detroit has picked up at least one point in eight of the past 11, including five outright victories.
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Against the spread (ATS)
The Red Wings (+1.5, -225) are a little too expensive for my liking at more than two times your potential return. They have cashed in six of the past eight on the puck line, but it will cost you. I’d prefer to just play them straight up.
Over/Under (O/U)
I am projecting the O/U line of 5 to be right on the number. If I had a lean, it would be to the Under, which is 20-7-2 in the past 29 meetings in this series. UNDER 5.5 (-160) on the alternate line might be a better option, albeit slightly more expensive.
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