Boston Bruins vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 4/4/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Boston Bruins vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Monday, April 4, 2022

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Bally Sports Ohio

Odds/Point Spread: Bruins (-200) Blue Jackets (+165)

The Columbus Blue Jackets (32-32-5) welcome the Boston Bruins (43-20-5) at Nationwide Arena on Monday. The odds on this game have Boston at -200 and Columbus is at +165. The total comes in at 6.

The Boston Bruins came out of this game feeling pretty good about themselves with a 5-2 victory over the Blue Jackets in their last outing. Boston earned 2 penalty minutes in this matchup. They also had 1 power play chance and were able to net 1 goal. The Bruins had a good offensive outing and it showed in this victory. In the game, they scored on 5 out of the 42 shots they looked to score on.

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In regard to their scoring capabilities, the Boston Bruins have racked up 215 goals (15th in hockey) for the season and have given up 181. For the year, they have recorded 91 points and their points percentage sits at .669. Boston has tallied 193 power play opportunities and they have tallied 47 goals during those chances, giving them a percentage of 24.35%. When playing at even strength, the Bruins have allowed 142 goals while having 168 of their own. Boston has taken 2,436 shots and is the owner of a shot percentage of 8.8%. The Bruins have had 1,957 shots tried against them and have earned a save percentage of .908. Boston Bruins opponents have 213 power play opportunities (7th in pro hockey) and have scored 39 goals in those chances.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Jeremy Swayman. For his career, Swayman has recorded 31 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .738. His save percentage is .926 during his 2,541 mins between the pipes. Swayman has seen 1,171 shot attempts taken against him and has accrued 1,084 total saves. The opposition has racked up 87 goals against Swayman in his pro career and his goals against average per game is 2.05. He has an overall record of 27-12-3 and he has started in 42 games. Swayman has been involved in 43 contests over the course of his NHL career.

When they took the ice last, Columbus went up against the Bruins in an outing where the Blue Jackets ended up losing by a final score of 5-2. They had 1 opportunity on the power play in this one but were not able to net one. The Blue Jackets recorded 2 goals of the 24 shots on goal they attempted.

The Blue Jackets have scored 186 goals at even strength and 33 goals (28th in the NHL) while on the power play. Columbus has tried 2,082 shots (16th in pro hockey) and has a shot percentage of 10.52%, while allowing their opponents 2,443 shots. On the campaign, the Columbus Blue Jackets have a total of 219 goals, 69 points, as well as a points percentage of .500. They have a tally of 179 power play chances and they have a power play rate of 18.44%. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 77.16% on their opponents 197 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently sits at 89.4%. They have permitted 258 goals to be scored by way of 213 goals at even strength and 45 goals while they had less men on the ice.

On the other side of the ice you will find Elvis Merzlikins in the crease. Merzlikins is the owner of a career mark of 43-39-18 and has participated in 108 games. Merzlikins' quality start percentage sits at 51.5% and he has made 51 quality starting assignments in his pro hockey career. He has recorded 2,972 stops out of the 3,260 shots attempted against him, giving him a percentage of .912. Opponents are averaging 2.92 goals per game and he has allowed 288 goals altogether. He has made the start in 99 games and has played 5,913 mins.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Boston (-200)

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