Columbus Blue Jackets vs Ottawa Senators Prediction, 3/16/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Ottawa Senators

Date: Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Location: Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON

TV: TSN5

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (-110) Senators (-110)

The Ottawa Senators (21-33-5) welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets (30-27-3) at Canadian Tire Centre on Wednesday. The moneyline on this contest has the Blue Jackets at -110 and the Senators are priced at -110. The total comes in at 6.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 6-4 victory against the Golden Knights in their previous outing. The Blue Jackets had a good offensive output in the victory. In the game, they were able to notch a goal on 6 of the 38 shots they launched. Additionally, they had 3 power play opportunities and were able to net 1 goal. Columbus had 8 penalty minutes in this game.

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Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have 173 power play opportunities (16th in professional hockey) and have earned 36 goals in those chances. The Blue Jackets have had 2,136 shots taken against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .897. Columbus has taken 1,786 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 10.9%. When at even strength, the Blue Jackets have conceded 184 goals while getting 167 of their own. Columbus has compiled 153 power play opportunities and they have added 28 goals during those advantages, giving them a percentage of 18.30%. For the current season, they have racked up 63 points and their points percentage sits at .525. In regard to their goal scoring prowess, the Columbus Blue Jackets have notched 195 goals (11th in the NHL) so far this season and have given up 220.

The player in the crease for this game is Elvis Merzlikins. Merzlikins has participated in 100 contests throughout his NHL career. He has accumulated an overall record of 42-36-16 and he has gotten the start in 92 games. Opponents have scored 264 goals versus Merzlikins in his pro career and his goals against average per contest is 2.89. Merzlikins has had 3,010 shots against him and has garnered 2,746 saves. He has a save percentage of .912 in his 5,476 mins in the crease. For his career, Merzlikins has tallied 47 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is at .511.

In their last game, Ottawa faced off against the Coyotes in a game where the Senators went home in defeat by a tally of 5-3. The Senators tallied 3 goals out of the 43 shots on goal they were seeking. They had 3 power play chances in this one and earned 1 goal out of those attempts.

The Senators have earned 124 goals at even strength and 32 goals (22nd in professional hockey) while having a power play advantage. Ottawa has taken 1,778 shots (21st in hockey) and has earned a shot percentage of 8.77%, while allowing the opposition 1,969 shots. During this campaign, the Ottawa Senators have earned a total of 156 goals, 47 points, in addition to a points percentage of .398. They have a tally of 175 power play chances and they have earned a power play rate of 18.29%. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 79.78% on their opponents 183 power play chances, and their save percentage currently sits at 90.2%. They have permitted 193 goals to be scored by of a combination of 156 goals at even strength and 37 goals while they had less men on the ice.

Across the ice you will find Anton Forsberg protecting the net. He has recorded 2,185 saves out of the 2,408 shots taken, which gives him a rate of .907. Forsberg is the owner of a career mark of 28-40-7 and has been in goal for 85 games. He got the starting nod in 77 games and has been on the ice for 4,348 minutes. Forsberg's quality start percentage sits at 49.4% and he has 38 quality starts in his career. His opponents are averaging 3.08 goals per contest and he has relinquished 223 goals in total.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Columbus (-110)

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