Columbus Blue Jackets vs Vancouver Canucks Prediction, 12/14/2021 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Vancouver Canucks

Date: Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Location: Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC

TV: Sportsnet

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+125) Canucks (-152)

Rogers Arena is the site where Thatcher Demko and the Vancouver Canucks (12-15-2) will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets (14-11-1) on Tuesday. The Blue Jackets open this contest at +125 while the Canucks are priced at -152. The O/U is set at 5.5.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 5-4 win over the Kraken in their last game. Columbus garnered 4 penalty minutes for this matchup. They also had 2 power play tries but weren't able to convert one of them into a goal. The Blue Jackets had a good offensive performance and it was apparent in this win. For the outing, they were able to notch a goal on 5 out of the 29 shots they tried.

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When discussing their goal scoring prowess, the Columbus Blue Jackets have tallied 84 goals (13th in hockey) on the season and have given up 85. For the season, the have a total of 29 points and their points percentage is .558. Columbus has accumulated 66 power play opportunities and they have notched 13 goals out of those attempts, giving them a percentage of 19.70%. While at even strength, the Blue Jackets have allowed the opponent to score 72 goals while earning 71 on offense. Columbus has tried 775 shots and holds a shot percentage of 10.8%. The Blue Jackets have had 889 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .904. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have earned 68 power play opportunities (26th in pro hockey) and have earned 13 goals in those attempts.

The player between the pipes for this game is Elvis Merzlikins. Over the course of his career, Merzlikins has earned 40 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .563. He has a save percentage of .919 during his 4,273 mins on the ice. Merzlikins has seen 2,283 shots taken against him and has garnered 2,097 saves. Opponents have notched 186 goals versus Merzlikins in his professional career and his average for goals against per game is 2.61. He has a mark of 32-26-14 and was named the starter in 71 games. Merzlikins has participated in 78 matchups throughout his NHL career.

Their last time out, Vancouver faced off against the Hurricanes in a matchup where the Canucks notched a victory by a final of 2-1. They had 1 power play attempt in this matchup but weren't able to notch a goal. The Canucks scored 2 goals of the 26 shots on goal they tried.

The Canucks are sitting with 51 goals at even strength and 18 goals (11th in hockey) while on the power play. Vancouver has taken 963 shots (4th in professional hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 7.17%, while allowing the other team 934 shots. So far this season, the Vancouver Canucks have earned a total of 69 goals, 26 points, in addition to a points percentage of .448. They have a total of 97 chances on the power play and they have a power play percentage of 18.56%. They have a penalty kill rate of 66.30% on their opponents 92 power play opportunities, and their save percentage comes in at 91.0%. They have allowed 84 goals to be scored by way of 53 goals at even strength and 31 goals while they were shorthanded.

Across the ice you are expected to see Thatcher Demko in net. The opposition is averaging 2.86 goals per contest and he has relinquished 269 goals overall. Demko's percentage of quality starts comes in at 57.0% and he has made 53 quality starts in his hockey career. He got the starting nod in 93 games and has been on the ice for 5,634 mins. Demko has amassed a lifetime record of 46-42-5 and has played in 96 contests. He has racked up 2,797 saves out of 3,066 shots attempted, giving him a percentage of .912.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Columbus (+125)

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