Nationwide Arena plays host to an East-West tilt as the Columbus Blue Jackets welcome the visiting Vancouver Canucks. Sportsnet Pacific will air the action, which gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, January 12.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
Netting moneyline bettors 2.3 units, Columbus is 25-20 straight up (SU) overall in the 2017-18 season. That winning percentage, ranked 2nd in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, is a regression from the 50-32 record that the team posted during last years regular season campaign. Of the teams 45 games this season, 19 have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and just one has pushed. This year, the teams 15-7 SU at home.
The Blue Jackets have converted on just 12.9 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that puts them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 21st overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 79.7 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Blue Jackets have been penalized just 3.1 times per game overall this season, and 2.2 per game over their past five matchups. The team has been forced to defend opposition power plays for just 8.5 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, in total.
Boasting a .922 save percentage and 28.4 saves per game, Sergei Bobrovsky (21-16-3) has been the top option in goal for Columbus this year. Bobrovsky did just play last night, however, so Columbus may choose to give him a rest and instead go with Joonas Korpisalo (4-5-5 record, .904 save percentage, 3.10 goals against average).
Artemi Panarin and Seth Jones will both spearhead the attack for the Blue Jackets. Panarin (37 points) has tallied 12 goals and 25 assists and has recorded multiple points on seven separate occasions this year. Jones has seven goals and 22 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 22 games.
Vancouver is 16-27 straight up (SU) and has lost 6.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 24 of its games have gone over the total, while 19 have gone under and none have pushed. The Canucks are 9-12 SU as the away team this season.
The Canucks have scored on 20.7 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s good enough for ninth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 26th overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.0 percent of all penalties.
Vancouver’s players have been called for penalties 3.9 times per game this season, and 3.0 per game over their last five outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 8.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jacob Markstrom (26.3 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Vancouver. Markstrom has 10 wins, 21 losses, and five OT losses to his credit, while registering a .908 save percentage and 2.77 goals against average this year.
Leading the offensive counter for the visiting Canucks will be Brock Boeser, who’s got 22 goals and 18 assists on the year.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Four of Columbus last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 2-2 in those games and 5-3 overall in shootouts this year.
- The under has hit in each of Columbus last five outings.
- Seven of Vancouver’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 1-6 in those games.
