In their third and final head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Detroit Red Wings and the Columbus Blue Jackets clash at Nationwide Arena for an Eastern Conference showdown. This one gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 3 and it can be watched live on Fox Sports Detroit.
Detroit Red Wings at Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
Columbus (+200) is currently the underdog to Columbus (-240), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -125 under, +105 over.
Columbus is 44-35 straight up (SU) and has netted 1.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. That winning percentage, the third-best in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, is a regression from the 50-32 record that the team posted during last year’s regular season campaign. Of the team’s 79 regular season matches, 40 have gone under the total, while 38 have gone over and just one has pushed. This year, the team’s 25-14 SU at home.
The Blue Jackets have converted on just 15.9 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s ranked 28th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 24th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 77.7 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Blue Jackets have been called for penalties just 3.0 times per game overall this season, 2.8 per game over their last five outings total, and 2.6 per game over their last five at home. The team’s had to defend opposition power plays for just 5.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, overall.
With a .923 save percentage and 28.2 saves per game, Sergei Bobrovsky (36-27-5) has been the top option in goal for the Jackets this year. If Columbus chooses to give him a rest, however, the team might roll with Joonas Korpisalo (8-9-9 record, .898 save percentage, 3.34 goals against average).
The Jackets will continue to rely on leadership from Artemi Panarin and Thomas Vanek. Panarin (77 points) has put up 26 goals and 51 assists and has recorded multiple points in 16 different games this year. Vanek has 24 goals and 31 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 38 games.
Detroit is 30-49 straight up (SU) and has lost 15.0 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 44 of its outings have gone under the total, while 33 have gone over and just two have pushed. As the away team, the Red Wings are 14-26 SU.
The Red Wings have converted on just 16.7 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s ranked 25th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 22nd overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
Detroit’s players have been called for penalties 3.7 times per game this season, and 5.0 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays 15.6 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Jimmy Howard (2.81 goals against average and .910 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Detroit. Howard is averaging 26.7 saves per game and has 22 wins, 37 losses, and eight OT losses to his credit.
Dylan Larkin (14 goals, 45 assists) has been one of the top offensive playmakers for the visiting Red Wings.
Detroit Red Wings at Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Predictions
NHL Prediction: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Columbus is 6-4 in games decided by a shootout this season while Detroit is 5-1 in shootouts.
The over has hit in three of Columbus’ last five games.
Six of Columbus’ last ten games have been decided by two or more goals. The team is 6-0 overall in those games.
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