A couple of clubs that split their head-to-head series (one game apiece) a year ago, the Edmonton Oilers and the Columbus Blue Jackets face off at Nationwide Arena. This East-West matchup will get underway at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 2, and it’ll be broadcasted live on Sportsnet West.
Edmonton Oilers at Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
Moneyline and Over/Under (O/U) odds have not yet been posted for this matchup.
The Blue Jackets are 36-27 straight-up (SU) and have netted 0.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, the second-best in the Metropolitan Division so far this season, is right in line with what the team managed during last year’s regular season (45-37). Of the team’s 63 regular season matches, 32 have gone under the total, while 24 have gone over and just six have pushed. The team’s 17-16 SU at home this season.
Columbus has converted on just 15.6 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that places the team in the bottom-5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked fifth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.6 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 been forced to kill penalties for just 5.8 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
With a .907 save percentage and 25.8 saves per game, Sergei Bobrovsky (27 wins, 20 losses, and one OT loss) has been the top option in goal for the Blue Jackets this year. If they choose to give him a rest, however, Columbus might roll with Joonas Korpisalo (9-12-12 record, .896 save percentage, 3.07 goals against average).
Artemi Panarin and Matt Duchene will each look to continue their strong seasons for the Blue Jackets. Panarin (71 points) has tallied 25 goals and 46 assists and has recorded multiple points on 21 separate occasions this year. Duchene has 28 goals and 33 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 36 contests.
Edmonton has lost 12.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far and is currently 27-37 straight up (SU). Through 64 regular season outings, 30 of its games have gone under the total, while 29 have gone over and just four have pushed. As the visiting team, Edmonton is 13-20 SU.
Edmonton has converted on 21.8 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 29th overall and it’s successfully defended 75.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Edmonton’s skaters have been penalized 3.8 times per game this season, and 3.0 per game over their past five match ups. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 8.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Mikko Koskinen (25.3 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Edmonton. Koskinen owns a 17-22-4 record, and has registered a .908 save percentage and 2.84 goals against average this year.
Connor McDavid (33 goals, 54 assists) has been one of the top playmaking threats for the visiting Oilers.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Free Picks
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Extra-man opportunities may prove to be even more critical than usual in the outcome of this game. The Oilers are 10-10 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 18-19 when they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 total minutes. The Blue Jackets are 19-10 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 30-22 in games where their penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Edmonton (3-2 in shootouts) has more shootout experience coming into this one. Columbus fell short in its one shootout this season.
- Columbus skaters have averaged 7.0 takeaways per game over its last five home games, a slight drop from its season average of 7.5 takeaways per game (ranked 17th).
- Edmonton is ranked 12th overall with 8.1 takeaways per game. That figure has trended down, however, as it’s created 6.2 takeaways over its last 10 games and 6.6 takeaways over its last five.
