Kyle Palmieri, Taylor Hall, and the New Jersey Devils will face off against Artemi Panarin, Cam Atkinson, and the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in a divisional tilt. Fox Sports Ohio will broadcast the matchup, and the opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 20.
New Jersey Devils vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
Moneyline and Over/Under (O/U) odds have not yet been posted for this matchup.
Columbus is 18-15 straight up (SU) and has recorded 3.5 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Out of the team’s 33 regular season contests, 18 of them have gone under the total, while 12 have gone over and just three have pushed. The team’s 9-9 SU at home this year.
The Blue Jackets have converted on just 15.1 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that puts them in the bottom-5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 16th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 79.8 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 25.9 saves per game with a .905 save percentage, Sergei Bobrovsky (13-11-1) has been the top option in goal for the Jackets this season. If the Jackets choose to rest him, however, Columbus could go with Joonas Korpisalo (5-7-7 record, .885 save percentage, 3.54 goals against average).
New Jersey has lost 11.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and is currently 11-21 straight up (SU). 20 of its contests have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under the total and just two have pushed. The Devils are 3-14 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Devils have converted on 18.1 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked ninth overall and it’s successfully defended 82.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
Keith Kinkaid (3.00 goals against average and .902 save percentage) has been the main option in goal for New Jersey. Kinkaid is averaging 26.3 saves per game and owns an 11-16-6 record.
New Jersey Devils at Columbus Blue Jackets Free Picks
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Five of New Jersey’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 1-4 in those games.
- Penalties and power plays could have a critical role in tonight’s game. The Devils are 5-6 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 7-17 when they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Blue Jackets are 10-8 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 14-11 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- Columbus might hold the upper hand if it’s a tight one late. The team’s 7-5 in games decided by one goal, while New Jersey is 3-9 in such games.
- The under has hit in each of Columbus’ last five games.
- New Jersey is ranked 12th this season with 9.3 giveaways per game. That figure’s trended upward, as it’s averaged 10.2 giveaways over its last 10 games and 11.8 giveaways over its last five.
- One of the best at valuing possession, Columbus is ranked 4th this season with just 7.3 giveaways per game. That figure has improved, however, as the team’s averaged 6.4 giveaways over its last 10 games and 4.6 giveaways over its last five.
