The Columbus Blue Jackets (26-16-8) host the Winnipeg Jets (25-21-4) Wednesday at Nationwide Arena for a 7:30 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Jets-Blue Jackets sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Jets at Blue Jackets: Projected starting goalies
Laurent Brossoit vs. Elvis Merzlikins
Brossoit draws a rare start in place of the heavily-worked Connor Hellebuyck. The 26-year-old backup is 4-5-0 through 10 starts and four relief appearances. He hasn’t recorded a win since Dec. 10. He has an .885 save percentage and 3.67 goals against average.
Merzlikins, 25, has won four straight starts, including a 41-save shutout of the New Jersey Devils Saturday. He’s 8-6-4 in his rookie campaign with a .928 SV% and 2.36 GAA.
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Jets at Blue Jackets: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 9:30 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Blue Jackets 3, Jets 1
Moneyline (ML)
The BLUE JACKETS (-189) enter on a five-game winning streak and with an 8-2-0 record over their last 10 games. They’re also 15-9-2 at Nationwide Arena for the season. The Jets (+155) have lost three in a row, including a 4-1 decision at the Carolina Hurricanes Tuesday as they’ll play the second half a back-to-back and third game of a three-game road trip before the All-Star break.
Both teams have been below average in Corsi For Percentage (percentage of total shot attempts) and scoring chances at 5-on-5, but Columbus has the edge in both, as well as the goaltending matchup. Take the home side to win outright.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Jackets to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $5.29.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Double down on the home side and back the JACKETS (-1.5, +145) to win by at least a 2-goal margin for a greater profit. The Jets are 27-23 against the spread overall and 18-8 on the road, while the Jackets are 29-21 ATS overall but just 11-15 at home. Merzlikins pitched a shutout in three of his last four starts and the Jackets won each of those games by at least a 3-goal margin. The Jets have been shut out just twice this season, but each of their last three losses were by a margin of at least 3 goals.
Over/Under (O/U)
Back the UNDER 5.5 (+100) at even money and trust in Merzlikins to continue his recent play. The Blue Jackets are 2-8 against the Over/Under across their last 10 games, the Jets are 5-5.
Esten’s NHL betting record: 182-168
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