Nationwide Arena will be hosting a divisional showdown as the New Jersey Devils come into town to face the Columbus Blue Jackets. The first puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 5, and it is being shown live on Fox Sports Ohio.
New Jersey Devils at Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
Columbus comes into the contest as the substantial favorite with a moneyline of -195. The line for New Jersey sits at +170, and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-130 under, +110 over).
The Blue Jackets are 17-10 straight up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 5.0 units this season. That winning percentage, ranked second in the NHL in this young season, is right in line with the 50-32 record the team produced during last years regular season campaign. 15 of the teams 27 games have gone under the total, while 12 have gone over and none have pushed. The team is 10-4 SU at home this year.
Columbus has converted on just 9.2 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 31st overall in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated sixth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.8 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Columbus has been called for penalties just 2.8 times per game overall this season, and 2.2 per game over its last ten matchups. The teams had to stave off opposition power plays for just 4.6 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 27.7 saves per game with a .931 save percentage, Sergei Bobrovsky (14-7-1) has been the top goalkeeper for the Blue Jackets this year. If head coach John Tortorella decides to give him a breather, however, the team might turn to Joonas Korpisalo (3-3-3 record, .907 save percentage, 2.81 goals against average).
Artemi Panarin and Josh Anderson will each spearhead the attack for the Blue Jackets. Panarin (20 points) has tallied seven goals and 13 assists and has recorded two or more points on three different occasions this year. Anderson has 10 goals and seven assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 14 contests.
Over on the other bench, New Jersey is 15-11 straight up (SU) and has earned 6.8 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 26 regular season outings, 13 of its games have gone over the total, while an additional 13 have gone under and none have pushed. New Jersey’s 9-5 SU as the visiting team this season.
New Jersey has converted on 21.7 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s good enough for 10th-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 14th overall and it’s successfully defended 81.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
New Jersey’s players have been penalized 4.2 times per game in total this season, and 3.0 per game over their last five road outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 6.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cory Schneider (30.1 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for New Jersey. Schneider owns an 11-8-3 record, while registering a .920 save percentage and 2.68 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Devils, the offense will run through Taylor Hall, who’s got 19 assists and eight goals this year.
New Jersey Devils vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Two of Columbus last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 2-0 in those games and 3-1 overall in shootouts this year.
- The total has gone over in three of Columbus last five outings.
- New Jersey has managed 28.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Columbus is averaging 36.8 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- Four of Columbus last ten contests have been decided by two or more goals, and the team is 3-1 overall in those games.
