In their third and final head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Detroit Red Wings and the Columbus Blue Jackets face off at Nationwide Arena. Fox Sports Detroit will showcase this Eastern Conference matchup, which gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, February 7.
Detroit Red Wings at Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
The Blue Jackets are 29-25 straight up (SU) and have netted 7.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. That early-season winning percentage is fairly close to what the team posted during last year’s regular season (47-35). Out of the team’s 54 regular season contests, 34 of them have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team is 17-11 SU at home this season.
Columbus has converted on just 17.1 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that puts the team in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.4 percent of all penalties.
Columbus, as a collective unit, has been whistled for penalties just 3.1 times per game overall this season, and 1.2 per game over its last five contests. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 6.1 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 25.7 saves per game with a .913 save percentage, Joonas Korpisalo (17-15-5) has been the primary option in goal for the Blue Jackets this year. If they decide to give him the night off, however, head coach John Tortorella could roll with Elvis Merzlikins (11-12-12 record, .929 save percentage, 2.30 goals against average).
Pierre-Luc Dubois and Gustav Nyquist will both spearhead the attack for the Blue Jackets. Dubois (42 points) has put up 17 goals and 25 assists and has recorded multiple points in nine different games this year. Nyquist has 12 goals and 22 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 26 games.
Detroit has lost 23.1 units for moneyline bettors thus far and is currently 13-42 straight up (SU). A total of 25 of its matches have gone under the total, while 23 have gone over and just six have pushed. As the away team so far, Detroit is 5-22 SU.
Detroit has converted on just 14.7 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s ranked 30th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 31st overall and it’s successfully defended 74.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Detroit’s skaters have been penalized 3.6 times per game this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s had to kill penalties just 8.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jonathan Bernier (2.89 goals against average and .908 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Detroit. Bernier is averaging 26.3 saves per game and owns an 11-20-2 record.
For the visiting Red Wings, the offense will be facilitated by Dylan Larkin (15 goals, 24 assists) and Tyler Bertuzzi (18 goals, 19 assists).
Detroit Red Wings at Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Predictions
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
The total has gone under in three of Columbus’ last five games.
The Red Wings are 6-13 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 8-30 when they’re in the box for fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
Columbus is 0-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Detroit is 2-1 in shootouts.
Columbus has averaged 7.4 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 6.6 takeaways per game (ranked 25th in the league).
Detroit skaters have averaged 5.4 takeaways per game over its last five road games, an improvement over its season average of 4.4 takeaways per game (ranked 32nd overall).
Columbus may hold the upper hand if it’s a close one late. The team’s 18-15 in games decided by one goal, while Detroit is 7-10 in such games.