Columbus Blue Jackets vs Detroit Red Wings Prediction, 4/9/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Detroit Red Wings

Date: Saturday, April 9, 2022

Location: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI

TV: Bally Sports Detroit

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (-137) Red Wings (+114)

The Columbus Blue Jackets (33-33-6) are on their way to Little Caesars Arena on Saturday where they will meet the Detroit Red Wings (28-34-9). The moneyline on this contest has the Blue Jackets at -137 and the Red Wings are coming in at +114. The betting total is set at 6.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were on the wrong end of the scoreboard with a 4-1 loss against the Flyers their last time on the ice. Columbus accumulated 4 penalty mins for this game. The Blue Jackets didn't have their best offensive outing in this loss. Furthermore, they had 2 power play tries but didn't get a goal. In the game, they tallied a score on 1 of the 27 shots they put on goal.

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The Blue Jackets have had 2,560 shots taken against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .896. While at even strength, the Blue Jackets let the opposition score 222 goals while having 193 on the offensive side of the ice. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have recorded 210 power play opportunities (11th in hockey) and have scored 45 goals in those chances. For the season, they sit with 72 points and their points % is .500. Columbus has tried 2,161 shots and has a shot percentage of 10.5%. When talking about their goal scoring prowess, the Columbus Blue Jackets have earned 226 goals (12th in the NHL) so far this year and have given up 267. Columbus has tallied 187 power play opportunities and they have scored 33 goals during those advantages, earning them a rate of 17.65%.

The man in goal for this game is Elvis Merzlikins. Merzlikins has taken the ice for 111 games over the course of his NHL career. He has earned an overall record of 44-40-19 and he has started in 102 games. Opponents have been able to score 297 goals against Merzlikins in his pro career and his goals against rate is 2.92. Merzlikins has had 3,377 shots against him and he has 3,080 total saves. His save percentage sits at .912 during his 6,094 minutes on the ice. During his career on the ice, Merzlikins has tallied 53 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .520.

The last time they were on the ice, Detroit played the Jets in a game where the Red Wings got the win by a final score of 3-1. They had 4 power play opportunities in this outing but weren't able to put one in the back of the net. The Red Wings earned 3 goals out of the 35 shots on goal they tried.

So far this season, the Detroit Red Wings have earned a total of 202 goals, 65 points, in addition to a points percentage of .458. They have allowed 270 goals to be scored by way of 217 goals at even strength and 53 goals while they were shorthanded. The Red Wings have scored 167 goals at even strength and 35 goals (25th in hockey) while having a power play advantage. They have a total of 203 power play opportunities and they have accumulated a power play rate of 17.24%. Detroit has attempted 2,110 shots (24th in hockey) and has earned a shot percentage of 9.57%, while allowing their opponents 2,392 shots. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 72.96% on their oppositions 196 power play tries, and their save percentage currently sits at 88.7%.

For the opposition you will find Alex Nedeljkovic protecting the net. Nedeljkovic is the owner of a career mark of 35-28-12 and has played in 81 games. Nedeljkovic's quality start percentage comes out to 57.5% and he has 42 quality starting assignments in his professional career. He has recorded 2,157 stops out of 2,371 shots taken, which gives him a save % of .910. Opponents are averaging 2.82 goals/game and he has surrendered 214 goals overall. He has started in 73 games and has played for a total of 4,547 mins.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Columbus (-137)

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