The Prudential Center will be the site for a Metro Division tilt as the Columbus Blue Jackets come into town to face the New Jersey Devils. It’s the fourth and final time that these two clubs will meet in the regular season. Fox Sports Ohio will showcase the matchup, which gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 20.
Columbus Blue Jackets at New Jersey Devils Odds
The money line for either team is currently set at an identical -110, and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-120 money on the over, +100 on the under).
New Jersey is 31-28 straight up (SU) and has earned 6.8 units for moneyline bettors this season. That winning percentage, ranked 3rd in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, is a remarkable improvement over the 28-54 record from the 2016-17 season campaign. Through 59 regular season matches, 32 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 26 have gone under and just one has pushed. This season, the team’s 16-13 SU at home.
The Devils have converted on 19.3 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 14th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 81.7 percent of all penalties.
The Devils, as a collective unit, have been called for penalties 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 3.0 per game over their last five home outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays for just 7.8 minutes per contest over their last five home games.
Averaging 28.9 saves per game with a .913 save percentage, Cory Schneider (18-17-6) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Devils this year. If head coach John Hynes decides to give him a breather, however, the team might turn to Keith Kinkaid (13-10-10 record, .897 save percentage, 3.17 goals against average).
Taylor Hall and Nico Hischier will both lead the offensive attack for the Devils. Hall (62 points) has tallied 24 goals and 38 assists and has recorded two or more points 18 times this year. Hischier has 13 goals and 26 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 27 games.
On the other side of the ice, Columbus is 29-30 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 32 of its outings have gone under the total, while 26 have gone over and just one has pushed. As the visiting team so far, the Blue Jackets are 12-17 SU.
The Blue Jackets have converted on just 14.4 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 27th overall and it’s successfully defended 75.7 percent of all opponent power plays.
Columbus’ players have been penalized only 3.0 times per game in total this season, and 2.2 per game over their last five contests. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays just 5.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Sergei Bobrovsky (2.49 goals against average and .918 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Columbus. Bobrovsky is averaging 28.1 saves per game and has 24 wins, 24 losses, and five OT losses to his credit.
For the visiting Blue Jackets, the offense will be coordinated by Artemi Panarin, who’s got 31 assists and 16 goals this season.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New Jersey Devils Free Picks
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Devils, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- New Jersey is 4-4 in games decided by a shootout this season while Columbus is 6-4 in shootouts.
- The total has gone over in four of New Jersey’s last five games.
- The Blue Jackets have averaged the league’s most shots on goal (35.0) while New Jersey has attempted the 21st-most (just 31.2).
- New Jersey has scored 3.1 goals per game overall this year, but has raised it up to 4.3 per match up in its last four games (the team’s a perfect 0-0 SU over that streak).
- Six of Columbus’ last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-4 in those games.
- Columbus skaters have given out the 12th-most hits in the league (22.0 per game).
