The Prudential Center will be the site for a divisional showdown as the New Jersey Devils take on the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets. This one gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, December 8 and it’s being televised live on Fox Sports Ohio.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New Jersey Devils Odds
Columbus is 17-11 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 2.9 units this year. 15 of its games have gone under the total, while 12 have gone over and just one has pushed. As an away team in 2017-18, the Jackets are 7-6 SU.
Columbus has converted on just 8.5 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. Its penalty kill is ranked fourth overall, and it has successfully killed off 84.1 percent of all penalties.
Columbus, as a collective unit, has been penalized just 2.8 times per game this season, and 2.0 per game over its last five road outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 4.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 27.9 saves per game with a .929 save percentage, Sergei Bobrovsky (14-8-1) has been the primary option in goal for Columbus this season. If Columbus chooses to rest him, however, the team might roll with Joonas Korpisalo (3-3), who has a .907 save percentage and 2.81 goals against average this year.
The visiting Blue Jackets have relied on Artemi Panarin and Josh Anderson heavily this year. Panarin (20 points) is up to seven goals and 13 assists, and has recorded two or more points three times. Anderson has 10 goals and seven assists to his credit, and has notched a point in 14 games.
Over on the other bench, New Jersey is 16-11 straight up (SU) and has earned 8.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. 13 of its games have gone over the total, while another 13 have gone under and just one has pushed. The teams 6-6 SU at home this season.
New Jersey has converted on 21.4 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked eighth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.4 percent of all penalties.
New Jersey players have been penalized 4.3 times per game in total this season, and 3.6 per game over their past ten match ups. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 7.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cory Schneider has denied 30.6 shots per game as the primary selection in goal for New Jersey. Schneider has 12 wins, eight losses, and three overtime losses to his credit and has maintained a 2.60 goals against average and a .923 save percentage this season.
The Devils will be led on offense by Taylor Hall (nine goals, 20 assists).
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New Jersey Devils Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- New Jersey is 2-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Columbus is 3-1 in shootouts.
- The under has hit in three of New Jersey’s last five games.
- Columbus has attempted 35.1 shots per game overall this season (the second-most in the NHL), and 35.3 in its last 10 games.
