The Winnipeg Jets (34-19-1) and Columbus Blue Jackets (16-34-4) meet Thursday at Nationwide Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Jets vs. Blue Jackets odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Jets cashed as -128 home favorites Tuesday with a 3-2 shootout win vs. the Seattle Kraken. Winnipeg is now 2 points behind the 1st-place Dallas Stars in the Central Division with 1 game in hand after winning its 3rd straight. The Jets are 23-8 in their last 31 games vs. teams with a losing record.
The Blue Jackets lost as +187 home underdogs Tuesday as the New Jersey Devils edged Columbus 3-2. LW Johnny Gaudreau and D Adam Boqvist scored for the Blue Jackets, who have lost 5 of their last 6 games. Columbus is 1-6 in its last 7 home games.
This is the 2nd meeting this season between the Jets and Blue Jackets. Columbus won as a +179 road underdog 4-1 as the Under 6.5 total goals cashed Dec. 2.
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Jets 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 11:10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Jets -210 (bet $210 to win $100) | Blue Jackets +180 (bet $100 to win $180)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Jets -1.5 (+120) | Blue Jackets +1.5 (-140)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +105 | U: -125)
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Jets at Blue Jackets projected goalies
Connor Hellebuyck (25-15-1, 2.41 GAA, .924 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (6-15-0, 4.28 GAA, .873 SV%)
Hellebuyck faced the Blue Jackets once last season and allowed 2 goals on 31 shots in a 3-0 road loss Nov. 24, 2021. In 5 career games (4 starts) vs. Columbus, the 2020 Vezina Trophy winner is 4-1-0 and has allowed 11 goals on 138 shots, good for a 2.63 GAA and .920 SV%.
Merzlikins faced the Jets twice last season, going 1-0-1 and allowing 4 goals on 69 shots, good for a 2.02 GAA and .942 SV%. He’s 2-1-1 in 4 career starts vs. Winnipeg with a 2.79 GAA and .915 SV% (119 saves against 130 shots).
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Jets at Blue Jackets picks and predictions
Prediction
Jets 4, Blue Jackets 2
Moneyline
PASS.
The Jets (-210) should win, but there is no need to risk more than twice your potential profit on the moneyline when Winnipeg should win by multiple goals. Bet the puck line and/or total instead.
Puck line/Against the spread
BET JETS -1.5 (+120).
The Jets are 13-6 in their last 19 games and 8 of their last 10 wins have been by multiple goals. The Blue Jackets are 15-36 in their last 51 games vs. teams with a winning percentage above .600 and should struggle to keep it close with such a mismatch in net. Hellebuyck is 4th in SV% amongst goaltenders who have started at least 20 games, while Merzlikins sits at 44th out of 45 qualifying goalies.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 6.5 (-125).
The Under is 12-2 in Winnipeg’s last 14 road games and 5-1 in the Jets’ last 6 vs. teams with a losing record. The Under has hit in 41 of Winnipeg’s last 60 games and is 5-1 in Columbus’ last 6 vs. Central Division teams.
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