Artemi Panarin, Cam Atkinson, and the Columbus Blue Jackets are set to face off against Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, and the Winnipeg Jets at Bell MTS Place in an East-West showdown. The puck drops at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 31, and you can watch it live on The Sports Network.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Winnipeg Jets Odds
The Jets (-150) are tabbed as the favorites over the Blue Jackets (+130) and the Over/Under (O/U) is placed at 7 goals (-120 for the over, +100 for the under).
Winnipeg is 32-18 straight up (SU) and has netted 7.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked third in the NHL in this young season, is right in line with the 52-30 record the team produced during last year’s regular season campaign. Through 50 regular season outings, 22 of its games have gone over the total, while 21 have gone under and just seven have pushed. Thus far, the team’s 18-8 SU at home.
The Jets currently have the third-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as they have found the net on 26.5 percent of their extra-man opportunities this year. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 13th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 81.2 percent of all penalties.
With a .910 save percentage and 28.4 saves per game, Connor Hellebuyck (22-16-1) has been the most dependable goalkeeper for the Jets this season. If Winnipeg chooses to give him a rest, however, head coach Paul Maurice might roll with Laurent Brossoit (10-3-3 record, .940 save percentage, 2.09 goals against average).
Columbus has lost 0.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and is currently 28-21 straight up (SU). A total of 26 of its games have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and just four have pushed. The Blue Jackets are 14-9 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Blue Jackets have converted on just 15.1 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s ranked 27th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked seventh overall and it’s successfully killed off 83.2 percent of all penalties.
Sergei Bobrovsky (25.9 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Columbus. Bobrovsky owns a 19-16-1 record, and has registered a .902 save percentage and 2.97 goals against average this year.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Winnipeg Jets Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Seven of Winnipeg’s last ten games have been decided by two or more goals, and the club is 5-2 overall in those games.
- Power plays and penalty kills may have a critical role tonight. The Blue Jackets are 16-8 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 22-17 in games where they’re in the box for fewer than 10 penalty minutes, in total. The Jets are 14-8 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 20-12 in games where total penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- The total has gone under in three of Columbus’ last five outings.
- Columbus skaters have averaged 6.2 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 7.1 giveaways per game (the third-fewest in the NHL).
- Winnipeg skaters have averaged 10.0 giveaways over its last five home games, its season average of 9.5 giveaways per game (ranked 13th in the league).
