Nationwide Arena will be the site for an Eastern Conference tilt as the Detroit Red Wings pay a visit to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The action will get underway at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, March 9, and you’ll be able to witness it live on Sportsnet.
Detroit Red Wings at Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
Losing 5.5 units for moneyline bettors, the Blue Jackets are 35-33 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That winning percentage, ranked 3rd in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, is a regression from the 50-32 record that the team posted during the 2016-17 season campaign. Through 68 regular season outings, 36 of the team’s games have gone under the total, while 30 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team is 21-13 SU at home this year.
Columbus has converted on just 14.5 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s ranked 30th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 27th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 77.0 percent of all penalties.
Columbus, as a collective unit, has been penalized just 3.0 times per game overall this season, and 2.4 per game over its last five home outings. The team has had to kill penalties for just 6.6 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
With a .920 save percentage and 28.1 saves per game, Sergei Bobrovsky (28-26-5) has been the top option in goal for the Blue Jackets this season. If they, however, choose to give him a breather, Columbus may go with Joonas Korpisalo (7-8-8 record, .902 save percentage, 3.19 goals against average).
The Jackets will continue seeking offensive production from Artemi Panarin and Seth Jones. Panarin (59 points) has produced 21 goals and 38 assists and has recorded two or more points in 12 different games this year. Jones has 11 goals and 33 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 32 contests.
Detroit is 26-41 straight up (SU) and has lost 11.4 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 67 regular season matches, 39 of its games have gone under the total, while 26 have gone over and just one has pushed.
Detroit’s 13-19 SU as an away team this season.Detroit has converted on just 18.5 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that places it in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 22nd overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
Detroit’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 3.7 times per game this season, 4.2 per game over their past five games total, and 3.8 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s had to kill penalties just 7.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jimmy Howard (26.5 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Detroit. Howard has 18 wins, 33 losses, and eight OT losses to his credit, while registering a .911 save percentage and 2.82 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Red Wings, the offense will run through Dylan Larkin (nine goals, 40 assists) and Henrik Zetterberg (nine goals, 35 assists).
Detroit Red Wings vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Detroit is 4-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Columbus is 6-4 in shootouts.
- The over has hit in four of Columbus’ last five games.
- The Blue Jackets have averaged the league’s fourth-most shots on goal (34.2) while the Red Wings have attempted the 26th-most (just 34.2).
- Columbus has averaged 2.7 goals per game overall this year, but has raised that figure up to 4.3 per match up over its three-game winning streak.
