The Columbus Blue Jackets are in Winnipeg for a Friday night matchup at the Canada Life Centre. The Blue Jackets seek a bounce-back in Winnipeg following a 5-1 loss at Pittsburgh.They have a win in four of their previous six games going into tonight.
Columbus was coming off an upset over the St. Louis Blues, as they won as +143 underdogs at home. That game was probably mispriced, but still, it was a good effort from the Blue Jackets to dispatch one of the best in the Central Division.
.@Merzly30 in the cage ?@BlueTech_Inc | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/bZyseLTLiH
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 25, 2022
It’s been that kind of season for the Blue Jackets. They beat a good team and respond with a discouraging performance. It makes sense that the Blue Jackets are going into tonight with a record of 32-29-3.
Before beating the Blues, the Jackets were smacked for a 7-2 loss to the Washington Capitals. Then right after the win, another blowout loss.
There are some teams where their record doesn’t indicate the kind of team they are, but in this case, the Blue Jackets are a pretty good representation of their record.
The Jets are entering tonight with a record of 30-25-10 and 70 points. In the case of the Jets, yeah, they are pretty much what their record is this season.
“For us right now, it’s not different than having a playoff mindset, having a short memory. We know we have to be better.”
Dave Lowry on resetting ahead of tonight's game against the Blue Jackets, going up against Patrik Laine, and more.
WATCH ? pic.twitter.com/XgWyTSmCjj
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) March 25, 2022
Winnipeg is coming off a 5-2 loss at home versus the Ottawa Senators from last night. That wasn’t their best attempt after a 4-0 win at home over the Vegas Golden Knights a couple of days earlier.
They won four of their previous five outings before losing a bad one to the Senators. Back at home on a back-to-back, we’ll see what they have for Columbus tonight. Head below for our free Blue Jackets vs. Jets prediction on March 25, 2022.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Winnipeg Jets Betting Odds and Team Statistics:
The following odds are courtesy of MyBookie:
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus Blue Jackets | +1.5 (-140) | +180 | Over 6 (-120) |
| Winnipeg Jets | -1.5 (+120) | -210 | Under 6 (+100) |
| Team Data | Columbus Blue Jackets | Winnipeg Jets |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 32-29-3 | 30-25-10 |
| Puckline Record | 37-27 | 37-28 |
| Away/Home Record | 14-16-0 | 13-12-8 |
| Puckline Away/Home | 16-14 | 17-15 |
| Goals Per Game | 3.23 | 3.11 |
| Goals Against Per Game | 3.70 | 3.06 |
| Shots Per Game | 30.02 | 32.55 |
| Shots Against Per Game | 35.39 | 32.66 |
Blue Jackets vs. Jets Prediction:
The Blue Jackets have at least a fun team to watch this season. They’re not a contender, but forcing the play and not sitting back in a trap set-up.
It’d be better if the Blue Jackets were having fun while winning games. Columbus is 11th in the NHL with 3.23 goals per game.
They are scoring efficiently enough, but it doesn’t work with their defense. The Blue Jackets are getting hammered in the defensive zone, as they allow 3.7 goals per game.
You can blame Elvis Merzlikins for not playing great, but the defense isn’t doing much to provide resistance. The Blue Jackets are 32nd in the league, dead last, with 35.4 shots against a game.
This has led to 3.7 goals allowed per game. Can Merzlikins be better in the crease? With a 3.38 GAA and 0.903 save percentage, the answer is yes. Everyone has to improve, though.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Winnipeg Jets Betting Trends:
- 4-1 overall in their previous five games versus the Central Division
- 7-1 overall in their previous eight games versus a team with a losing record
- OVER is 16-5-2 in their previous 23 games versus the Western Conference
- OVER is 17-5-4 in their previous 26 games on a two-day rest
- OVER is 13-5-3 in their previous 21 games as an underdog
- 4-1 overall in their previous five games
- 4-0 overall in their previous four games after allowing a loss by more than 3 goals or more
- OVER is 7-2-1 in their previous ten games as a betting favorite
- OVER is 9-3-4 in their previous 16 games as a betting favorite at home
- OVER is 5-1-1 in their previous seven games
In their previous ten attempts, Winnipeg has allowed 3.3 goals per game, but the offense has been scoring. They have netted 3.7 goals a game during those ten games to record six wins and four losses.
The Jets have had little problems with their offense at home. They have put in 3.5 goals per game, but could be better on the blueline. Winnipeg is allowing 3 goals per game at home this season.
I have confidence in the Jets exploiting this anemic Jackets’ defense, which has allowed almost 4 goals per game on the road in 2021-22. The defense hasn’t shown any sign of improvement, either.
In their previous ten outings, Columbus has allowed 4.2 goals per game. They’ve given up 7, 4, 5 goals in the last three attempts.
A high-scoring game is the most likely outcome in Winnipeg at the Canada Life Centre. I’d consider looking at the OVER strongly if you are playing the NHL on Friday night.
MORE FREE SPORTS BETTING PICKS!
