Columbus Blue Jackets vs Ottawa Senators Pick – 3/29/2025

The Columbus Blue Jackets are set to face off against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 7:00 pm Eastern Time at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. This encounter features two teams striving to solidify their positions as the regular season approaches its conclusion.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Ottawa Senators Game Preview

The Blue Jackets enter this game with a record of 32-29-9, placing them in the middle of the Metropolitan Division standings. Their recent performance includes a 3-3 tie against the New York Islanders, where they managed to score three goals on 30 shots. Offensively, Columbus has been productive, tallying 220 goals this season, ranking them 12th in the NHL. Their power play has converted 18.63% of opportunities, netting 30 goals on 161 chances. However, defensively, they've allowed 232 goals, with a penalty kill success rate of 75.3%.

Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins has been a key figure for the Blue Jackets, boasting a career save percentage of .903 over 238 NHL appearances. His experience and performance will be crucial in this matchup.

On the other side, the Ottawa Senators hold a 37-28-5 record, positioning them competitively within the Atlantic Division. In their latest outing, they suffered a narrow 3-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, despite outshooting their opponents 32-28. The Senators have accumulated 203 goals this season, with a power play efficiency of 24.23%, scoring 55 goals on 227 opportunities. Defensively, they've conceded 201 goals, maintaining a penalty kill rate of 77.11%.

Goaltender Linus Ullmark has been a steady presence for Ottawa, with a career save percentage of .917 over 284 games. His performance will be pivotal in countering Columbus's offensive threats.

Betting Insights

For bettors analyzing this game, several factors come into play:

• Moneyline Odds: Ottawa Senators are favored at -132, while the Columbus Blue Jackets are underdogs at +110.
• Over/Under: The total goals line is set at 6.5, reflecting expectations of a moderately high-scoring game.

Key considerations include:

• Home Advantage: The Senators have a solid home record, which could influence their performance positively.
• Recent Form: Both teams have shown mixed results in their recent games, making momentum a less decisive factor.
• Special Teams: Ottawa's superior power play efficiency (24.23%) compared to Columbus's (18.63%) could be a determining factor, especially if the game sees multiple penalties.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Ottawa Senators Prediction

Considering the current statistics and team dynamics, the Ottawa Senators appear to have a slight edge in this matchup. Their more effective power play and home ice advantage contribute to this assessment. However, the Blue Jackets' offensive capabilities and the performance of goaltender Elvis Merzlikins cannot be overlooked.

For those interested in betting, the Senators' moneyline at -132 offers a reasonable return given their advantages. The over/under at 6.5 goals suggests expectations of a moderately high-scoring game, aligning with both teams' recent performances.

In conclusion, while the Ottawa Senators are favored to win, the Columbus Blue Jackets possess the potential to challenge this outcome, making for an engaging and competitive game.