Nationwide Arena is the site for an East-West clash as the Columbus Blue Jackets face off against the visiting San Jose Sharks. The opening face-off is at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, February 2, and you’ll be able to watch it live on Fox Sports Ohio.
San Jose Sharks at Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
Columbus (-135) is currently favored over San Jose (+115), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-135 money on the under, +115 on the over).
Losing 1.4 units for moneyline bettors, the Blue Jackets are 27-23 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, the second-best in the Metropolitan Division so far in this young season, is a slide from what the team managed during last year’s regular season (50-32). Through 50 regular season matches, 28 of its games have gone under the total, while 21 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team’s 16-9 SU at home this year.
Columbus has converted on just 13.9 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that places the team in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 28th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 76.9 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Columbus has been called for penalties just 3.1 times per game overall this season, 3.0 per game over its past five contests total, and 3.6 per game over its last five home outings. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays for just 5.2 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
Averaging 28.9 saves per game with a .921 save percentage, Sergei Bobrovsky (22-19-4) has been the primary option in goal for the Blue Jackets this year. If they, however, decide to rest him, Columbus could roll with Joonas Korpisalo (5-5-5 record, .912 save percentage, 2.85 goals against average).
The Jackets will continue looking for offensive production from Artemi Panarin and Seth Jones. Panarin (41 points) has put up 13 goals and 28 assists and has recorded two or more points on seven different occasions this year. Jones has eight goals and 25 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 26 contests.
San Jose is 26-24 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.1 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 50 regular season contests, 30 of its games have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and just one has pushed. San Jose’s 12-14 SU as the road team this season.
San Jose has converted on 23.1 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked second overall and it’s successfully defended 84.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
San Jose’s skaters have been called for penalties 3.7 times per game in total this season, and 3.1 per game over their past ten contests. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays just 8.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Martin Jones (25.6 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for San Jose. Jones owns a 15-18-6 record, and has registered a .911 save percentage and 2.66 goals against average this year.
Brent Burns (eight goals, 34 assists) has been one of the primary playmaking threats for the visiting Sharks.
San Jose Sharks at Columbus Blue Jackets Free Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Three of Columbus’ last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 2-1 in those games and 6-4 overall in shootouts this year.
The under has hit in three of Columbus’ last five outings.
Over Columbus’ last ten outings, four of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 0-4 in those games).
