Columbus Blue Jackets vs Edmonton Oilers Prediction, 12/16/2021 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Edmonton Oilers

Date: Thursday, December 16, 2021

Location: Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB

TV: Sportsnet

Mikko Koskinen and the Edmonton Oilers (16-11-0) play the Columbus Blue Jackets (14-12-1) at Rogers Place on Thursday.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will look for better times on the ice after their 4-3 defeat to the Canucks the last time they stepped on the ice. Columbus recorded 4 penalty minutes for this matchup. The Blue Jackets offense didn't overly impress in the loss. They also had 1 power play opportunity but weren't able to make the most of that try. For the matchup, they scored on 3 of the 23 shots they launched.

When it comes to their goal scoring prowess, the Columbus Blue Jackets have racked up 87 goals (11th in the league) for the season and have conceded 89. For the current campaign, they have tallied 29 points and their points % is .537. Columbus comes into tonight with 67 power play opportunities and they have notched 13 goals during those advantages, giving them a percentage of 19.40%. At even strength, the Blue Jackets let the opposition score 75 goals while earning 74 on the offensive side of the ice. Columbus has taken 798 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 10.9%. The Blue Jackets have had 928 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .904. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have tallied 70 power play opportunities (26th in the NHL) and have come away with 14 goals in those chances.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Elvis Merzlikins. Opponents have been able to score 190 goals versus Merzlikins in his professional career and his goals against average is 2.63. Merzlikins has been in goal for 79 games during his NHL career. His save percentage currently is .918 for his 4,332 minutes on the ice. He has amassed an overall mark of 32-27-14 and was named the starter in 72 games. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Merzlikins has accrued 40 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .556. Merzlikins has had 2,322 shots against him and he has 2,132 total saves.

Their last time out, Edmonton went up against the Maple Leafs in a matchup where the Oilers went home in defeat by a mark of 5-1. They had 2 power play opportunities in this one but weren't able to put one in the back of the net. The Oilers recorded 1 goal out of the 36 shots on goal they took.

The Oilers have accumulated 63 goals at even strength and 26 goals (2nd in the NHL) while on the power play. Edmonton has attempted 871 shots (17th in pro hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 10.22%, while allowing the other team 900 shots. So far this season, the Edmonton Oilers have earned 89 goals, 32 points, as well as a points percentage of .593. They have earned 84 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play percentage of 30.95%. They have a penalty kill rate of 82.14% on their oppositions 84 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently sits at 90.6%. They have allowed 85 goals to be scored by way of 70 goals at even strength and 15 goals while they were shorthanded.

Across the rink you are likely to see Mikko Koskinen between the pipes. He has racked up 3,765 stops out of the 4,153 shots tried, giving him a save % of .907. Koskinen has a lifetime record of 70-54-9 and has played in 141 contests. He has made the start in 130 games and has played 7,780 minutes. Koskinen's rate of quality starts comes out to 47.7% and he has made 62 quality starting assignments in his career. His opposition is averaging 2.99 goals/game and he has conceded 388 goals in total.

Who will win tonight's hockey game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Columbus

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