The Columbus Blue Jackets and the expansion franchise Vegas Golden Knights clash at T-Mobile Arena in an East-West showdown. It’s the first time these two teams have ever met head-to-head. Sportsnet 360 will broadcast the matchup, and the puck drops at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 23.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Vegas Golden Knights Odds
Vegas enters the contest as the obvious favorite with a -160 moneyline. The line for Columbus sits at +140 and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
Vegas is 31-15 straight up (SU) and has earned 20.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 46 regular season contests, 25 of the teams games have gone over the total, while 19 have gone under and just two have pushed. This year, the team is 18-4 SU at home.
The Golden Knights have converted on 17.9 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 13th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.4 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Golden Knights have been penalized just 3.3 times per game overall this season, 3.2 per game over their last five contests total, and 3.0 per game over their last five at home. The teams had to stave off opposition power plays for just 6.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, overall.
With a .946 save percentage and 29.5 saves per game, Marc-Andre Fleury (11 wins, five losses, and two OT losses) has been the best option in goal for the Knights this season. If the Knights choose to give him a rest, however, the team might go with Malcolm Subban (12-3-3 record, .914 save percentage, 2.49 goals against average).
Jonathan Marchessault and William Karlsson will both lead the offensive attack for the Golden Knights. Marchessault (44 points) has produced 17 goals and 27 assists and has recorded multiple points on 12 separate occasions this year. Karlsson has 25 goals and 15 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 27 games.
Columbus is 26-21 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 47 regular season outings, 26 of its games have gone under the total, while 20 have gone over and just one has pushed. The Blue Jackets are 10-13 SU as an away team this season.
The Blue Jackets have converted on just 13.1 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 22nd overall and it’s successfully defended 79.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Columbus skaters have been penalized only 3.1 times per game this season, and 1.6 per game over their last five on the road. The teams been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 5.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Sergei Bobrovsky (28.3 saves per game) has been the main choice in the net for Columbus. Bobrovsky has 21 wins, 17 losses, and three OT losses to his credit, while registering a .920 save percentage and 2.44 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Blue Jackets, the offense will be facilitated through Artemi Panarin (12 goals, 26 assists) and Seth Jones (eight goals, 22 assists).
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Vegas Golden Knights Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- Three of Columbus last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 2-1 in those games and 6-3 overall in shootouts this season.
- This game features two offenses that have pounded opponents nets with shots. Columbus has attempted the leagues eighth-most shots on goal (33.8) and Vegas’s attempted the 10th-most (32.9).
- Over Columbus last ten games, four of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 0-4 in those games).
- Columbus skaters have accounted for the leagues 12th-most hits per game (21.6), but that number’s down to just 18.0 hits over their last five away games.
