Columbus Blue Jackets vs New Jersey Devils Prediction, 1/6/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs New Jersey Devils

Date: Thursday, January 6, 2022

Location: Prudential Center in Newark, NJ

TV: MSG+

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+106) Devils (-128)

The New Jersey Devils (13-16-5) are welcoming the Columbus Blue Jackets (15-15-1) at Prudential Center on Thursday. The odds on this game have Columbus at +106 while New Jersey is coming in at -128. The betting total comes in at 6.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were on the losing side of the ice with a 7-2 defeat to the Lightning in their previous contest. Columbus accrued 6 minutes in the box in this matchup. They also had 3 power play opportunities but weren't able to net one. The Blue Jackets had a rough night on the offensive side of the ice in this loss. For the game, they scored on 2 out of the 22 shots they attempted.

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In reference to scoring goals, the Columbus Blue Jackets have notched 98 goals (17th in hockey) for the year and have conceded 111. For the season, they have racked up 31 points and their points percentage sits at .500. Columbus has compiled 79 power play opportunities and they have tallied 13 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a rate of 16.46%. While at even strength, the Blue Jackets have given up 91 goals while earning 85 of their own. Columbus has taken 905 shots and has a shooting percentage of 10.8%. The Blue Jackets have had 1,092 shots tried against them and have earned a save percentage of .898. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have totaled 85 power play tries (28th in pro hockey) and have tallied 20 goals in those chances.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Elvis Merzlikins. During his career on the ice, Merzlikins has accounted for 41 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .554. His save percentage currently is .916 in his 4,456 minutes guarding the cage. Merzlikins has seen 2,400 shots taken against him and has gathered 2,199 total saves. Opponents have been able to score 201 goals versus Merzlikins in his career and his goals against average per contest is 2.71. He has an overall record of 33-29-14 and got the start in 74 games. Merzlikins has taken the ice for 82 contests over the course of his NHL career.

In their last contest, New Jersey played the Bruins in a matchup where the Devils took a loss by a tally of 5-3. The Devils scored 3 goals of the 26 shots on goal they pursued. They had 1 power play opportunity in this outing but weren't able to score a goal.

For the year, the New Jersey Devils have 98 goals, 31 points, in addition to a points percentage of .456. They have allowed 117 goals to be scored by of a combination of 99 goals at even strength and 18 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Devils have accumulated 85 goals at even strength and 13 goals (29th in the league) while on the power play. They have a tally of 91 chances on the power play and they have a power play rate of 14.29%. New Jersey has put up 1,078 shots (10th in professional hockey) and has earned a shot percentage of 9.09%, while allowing the other team 1,044 shots. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 81.25% on their oppositions 96 power play opportunities, and their save percentage is currently 88.8%.

For the opposition you are going to see Mackenzie Blackwood defending the goal. Blackwood holds a lifetime mark of 54-48-15 and has played in 125 contests. Blackwood's percentage of quality starts is 51.7% and he has 61 quality starting assignments in his professional career. He has compiled 3,436 saves out of 3,782 shots tried, which gives him a save percentage of .909. His opposition is averaging 2.91 goals/game and he has relinquished 346 goals altogether. He has started in 118 contests and has played for a total of 7,142 mins.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Columbus (+106)

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