Nashville Predators vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 12/30/2021 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Nashville Predators vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Thursday, December 30, 2021

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Bally Sports Ohio

Odds/Point Spread: Predators (-126) Blue Jackets (+105)

Nationwide Arena is where the Columbus Blue Jackets (14-13-1) will attempt to beat the Nashville Predators (19-10-1) on Thursday. The moneyline on this contest has the Predators at -126 while the Blue Jackets are opening at +105. The over/under comes in at 6.

The Nashville Predators were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 3-2 victory over the Blackhawks in their previous game. Nashville compiled 10 minutes in the box in this game. The Predators had an average offensive outing in the win. They also had 5 power play opportunities and were able to score 2 goals. In the game, they scored on 3 out of the 31 shots they tried.

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The Predators have had 876 shots tried against them and have a save percentage of .910. When playing at even strength, the Predators let the opposition score 59 goals while getting 66 on offense. Nashville Predators opponents have totaled 97 power play tries (5th in professional hockey) and have scored 20 goals in those chances. For the season, they have 39 points and their points percentage sits at .650. Nashville has tried 899 shots and has a shot percentage of 9.8%. In regard to their goal scoring prowess, the Nashville Predators have notched 88 goals (15th in the NHL) so far this year and have allowed 79. Nashville has tallied 86 power play opportunities and they have added 22 goals during those chances, earning them a percentage of 25.58%.

The player protecting the goal in this game is David Rittich. Rittich has taken the ice for 139 matchups over the course of his NHL career. He has amassed a record of 67-41-16 and he was named the starter in 125 games. Opponents have racked up 357 goals against Rittich in his pro career and his goals against rate is 2.83. Rittich has had 3,808 shots against him and has accrued 3,451 saves. His save percentage sits at .906 for his 7,560 minutes played. Over the course of his time in hockey, Rittich is sitting with 68 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .544.

Their last time out, Columbus faced the Oilers in a matchup where the Blue Jackets went home in defeat by a final of 5-2. They had 3 attempts on the power play in this matchup but weren't able to notch a goal. The Blue Jackets netted 2 goals of the 38 shots on goal they tried.

Columbus has attempted 836 shots (28th in professional hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 10.65%, while allowing the opposition 973 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 78.67% on the other teams 75 tries on the power play, and their save percentage currently sits at 90.3%. They have recorded 70 power play chances and they have a power play rate of 18.57%. The Blue Jackets have earned 76 goals at even strength and 13 goals (28th in pro hockey) while having more men on the ice. They have permitted 94 goals to be scored by of a combination of 78 goals at even strength and 16 goals while they had less men on the ice. So far this season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have earned a total of 89 goals, 29 points, and a points percentage of .518.

Across the ice you will find Elvis Merzlikins in goal. Merzlikins is the owner of a career mark of 32-28-14 and has been in net for 80 games. Merzlikins' percentage of quality starts comes in at 54.8% and he has made 40 quality starts in his pro hockey career. He has recorded 2,157 saves out of 2,351 shots taken against him, which gives him a rate of .917. His opposition is averaging 2.66 goals/game and he has relinquished 194 goals overall. He was named a starter in 73 contests and has been on the ice for 4,372 mins.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Nashville (-126)

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