Columbus Blue Jackets vs Boston Bruins Prediction, 12/17/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Boston Bruins

Date: Saturday, December 17, 2022

Location: TD Garden in Boston, MA

TV: NESN

The Boston Bruins (23-4-1) will compete against the Columbus Blue Jackets (10-16-2) at TD Garden on Saturday.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were on the wrong end of the scoreboard with a 4-0 loss to the Panthers in their previous contest . Columbus garnered 6 mins in the box in this game. The Blue Jackets had an offensive game that was below their expectations in this defeat. Additionally, they had 3 power play opportunities but weren't able to net one. In the outing, they weren't able to score on any of the 22 shots they looked to score on.

In the matter of their scoring capabilities, the Columbus Blue Jackets have notched 80 goals (26th in the National Hockey League) on the season and have conceded 114. For the year, they have racked up 22 points and their points % is .393. Columbus has accounted for 78 power play opportunities and they have tallied 11 goals out of those attempts, earning them a percentage of 14.10%. At even strength, the Blue Jackets have conceded 94 goals while getting 69 as an offensive unit. Columbus has tried 822 shots and is the owner of a shot percentage of 9.7%. The Blue Jackets have had 994 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .885. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have totaled 92 power play tries (20th in professional hockey) and have a total of 20 goals in those attempts.

The man in goal for this game is Elvis Merzlikins. Opponents have been able to score 373 goals against Merzlikins in his pro hockey career and his goals against rate is 3.05. Merzlikins has been in net for 134 games over the course of his NHL career. His save percentage currently sits at .908 in his 7,337 minutes guarding the cage. He has a record of 52-52-20 and he started in 121 games. For his career, Merzlikins has tallied 59 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .488. Merzlikins has had 4,067 shot attempts against him and has recorded 3,694 saves.

The last time they were on the ice, Boston played the Islanders in a matchup where the Bruins got the tie by a final score of 3-3. They had 2 power play attempts in this game and converted 1 out of those tries. The Bruins had 3 goals of the 33 shots on goal they tried.

So far this season, the Boston Bruins have notched a total of 108 goals, 47 points, as well as a points percentage of .839. They have allowed 60 goals to be scored by way of 45 goals at even strength and 15 goals while they were shorthanded. The Bruins have tallied 78 goals at even strength and 30 goals (4th in pro hockey) while having a power play advantage. They have a tally of 105 chances on the power play and they have a power play percentage of 28.57%. Boston has attempted 979 shots (8th in pro hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 11.03%, while allowing the opposition 802 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 85.85% on the other teams 106 power play chances, and their save percentage comes in at 92.5%.

On the other side of the ice you will find Linus Ullmark patrolling the crease. His opponents are averaging 2.59 goals per game and he has conceded 439 goals altogether. Ullmark's percentage of quality starts is 58.2% and he has accumulated 99 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. He has started in 170 games and his ice time sits at 10,153 minutes. Ullmark is the owner of a career record of 93-58-15 and has been in net for 178 games. He has accrued 4,792 saves out of the 5,231 shots tried, which gives him a rate of .916.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Columbus

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