The Vancouver Canucks (0-3) and Columbus Blue Jackets (0-3) meet Tuesday. Puck drop at Nationwide Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Canucks vs. Blue Jackets odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Canucks are playing for a 2nd straight day after dropping a 6-4 decision at the Washington Capitals Monday. Vancouver’s puck-possession numbers have been solid, but the club has been undone by a penalty-killing unit that is operating at a 50% rate and has allowed 6 goals.
The Blue Jackets have had a couple of days off after playing 3 games in 4 days from Wednesday-Saturday. Columbus lost all 3 games by a combined score of 14-5.
The Canucks and Jackets split a pair of games last season.
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Canucks at Blue Jackets odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:10 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Canucks -112 (bet $112 to win $100) | Blue Jackets -108 (bet $108 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Canucks +1.5 (-260) | Blue Jackets -1.5 (+205)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -101 | U: -120)
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Canucks at Blue Jackets projected goalies
Spencer Martin (3-2-4, 2.58 GAA, .924 SV% in career) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (0-1-0, 5.00 GAA, .800 SV%)
Martin makes his 1st start of the season. He started just 6 games for the Canucks last season but logged 25 AHL games with a 2.43 GAA and .914 SV%.
Merzlikins made 20 saves on 25 shots in a 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues Saturday. That contest — tied 2-2 midway through the 3rd frame — was his 1st start of the season due to illness.
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Canucks at Blue Jackets picks and predictions
Prediction
Canucks 3, Blue Jackets 2
Moneyline
Vancouver’s puck-possession numbers are too solid to ignore. The Blue Jackets haven’t been drawing a ton of penalties, so perhaps the PK issues don’t sway the game too much the other way.
Merzlikins may not be in peak form after his illness.
BET VANCOUVER (-112).
Puck line/Against the spread
PASS, although the Canucks +1.5 would be a decent play for bettors with larger bankrolls if it reached -250 or better.
Over/Under
No lean either way, although both sides have been leaky so far. Look for things to be tightened up a bit, and an under-shaded 6.5 feels right.
PASS.
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