Gustav Nyquist, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and the Columbus Blue Jackets are set to do battle against David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, and the Boston Bruins at TD Garden in an Eastern Conference matchup. The action gets started at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 2, and it is being shown live on New England Sports Network.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Boston Bruins Odds
Columbus (+185) is playing the role of underdog to Boston (-225), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -120 for the under and +100 for the over.
Boston is 24-17 straight up (SU) and has recorded 3.0 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. Through 41 regular season matches, 20 of its games have gone under the total, while 18 have gone over and just three have pushed. This year, the team is 14-9 SU at home.
The Bruins currently tout the third-best power-play unit in the NHL, as they have converted on 26.9 percent of their extra-man opportunities this year. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked second overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 85.4 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 27.8 saves per game with a .923 save percentage, Tuukka Rask (15-9-5) has been the most dependable goalkeeper for the Bruins this year. If Boston chooses to give him a rest, however, head coach Bruce Cassidy might roll with Jaroslav Halak (9-8-8 record, .930 save percentage, 2.20 goals against average).
Columbus has lost 2.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and is currently 18-22 straight up (SU). A total of 24 of its outings have gone under the total, while 15 have gone over and just one has pushed. As an away team, the Blue Jackets are 6-12 SU so far.
The Blue Jackets have converted on 17.3 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 14th overall and it’s successfully killed off 81.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
Joonas Korpisalo (2.49 goals against average and .913 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Columbus. Korpisalo is averaging 25.7 saves per game and owns a 17-15-5 record.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Boston Bruins Betting Predictions
Free Pick: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The Bruins (0-6 in shootouts) has more experience this season in games decided by shootout. The Blue Jackets fell short in both of its shootouts this year.
- The under has hit in four of Columbus’ last five outings.
- Over Columbus’ last ten games, four of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 4-0 in those games).
- The Bruins this season have registered the ninth-most hits per game in the NHL (23.8).
