In their second head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the New Jersey Devils and the Columbus Blue Jackets collide at Nationwide Arena. The opening face-off is at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 18, and you’ll be able to watch this Metro Division matchup live on MSG Network.
New Jersey Devils vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
With a -195 moneyline, Columbus enters the contest as the substantial favorite. The line for New Jersey sits at +170, and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The odds for betting that total sit at -105 for the over and -115 on the under.
Earning moneyline bettors 2.9 units, the Blue Jackets are 24-24 straight up (SU) overall in the 2019-20 season. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 47-35 record that the team managed during the 2018-19 season campaign. Of its 48 games this season, 17 have gone under the total, while 17 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team’s 14-11 SU at home this season.
Columbus has converted on just 17.5 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 24th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 12th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.0 percent of all penalties.
Columbus, as a collective unit, has been penalized just 3.2 times per game overall this season, 3.0 per game over its past five outings total, and 3.2 per game over its last five home outings. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 5.7 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
Averaging 25.7 saves per game with a .913 save percentage, Joonas Korpisalo (17 wins, 15 losses, and five OT losses) has been the top option in goal for the Blue Jackets this year. If head coach John Tortorella decides to give him a breather, however, the Jackets may turn to Elvis Merzlikins (7-12-12 record, .922 save percentage, 2.50 goals against average).
Pierre-Luc Dubois and Gustav Nyquist will each lead the charge for the Blue Jackets. Dubois (34 points) has tallied 15 goals and 19 assists and has recorded two or more points in seven different games this year. Nyquist has 10 goals and 21 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 23 games.
New Jersey has lost 9.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and is currently 17-30 straight up (SU). A total of 26 of its outings have gone over the total, while 20 have gone under the total and just one has pushed. New Jersey’s 10-14 SU as the visiting team this season.
New Jersey has converted on just 14.8 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s ranked 31st in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 17th overall and it’s successfully killed off 79.5 percent of all penalties.
New Jersey’s skaters have been penalized 4.1 times per game this season, 4.4 per game over their last five games total, and 4.4 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays 9.6 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
MacKenzie Blackwood (26.5 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for New Jersey. Blackwood owns a 14-20-6 record, while registering a .905 save percentage and 2.97 goals against average this year.
Kyle Palmieri (16 goals, 15 assists) and Nico Hischier (12 goals, 17 assists) are the top point-getters for New Jersey and will pace the offensive attack for the visiting Devils.
New Jersey Devils vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Predictions
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The Devils are 7-12 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 9-16 when they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
- New Jersey (2-4 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Columbus came up short in both of its shootouts this year.
- Columbus skaters have averaged 6.8 takeaways per game over its last five home games, right in line with its season average of 6.6 takeaways per game (ranked 25th in the NHL).
- New Jersey skaters have created 6.9 takeaways per game (ranked 22nd in the league).
