New Jersey Devils vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 1/8/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New Jersey Devils vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Saturday, January 8, 2022

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Bally Sports Ohio

Odds/Point Spread: Devils (+128) Blue Jackets (-155)

The New Jersey Devils (14-16-5) are on their way to Nationwide Arena on Saturday where they will try to defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets (15-16-1). The moneyline on this game has the Devils at +128 while the Blue Jackets are coming in at -155. The total is 5.5.

The New Jersey Devils came out of this game feeling pretty good about themselves with a 3-1 victory against the Blue Jackets in the last game they played. The Devils were neither impressive or disappointing offensively in the win. In the outing, they were able to notch a goal on 3 of the 28 shots they launched. Additionally, they had 3 power play opportunities and netted 1 goal. New Jersey tallied 6 minutes in the box in this outing.

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New Jersey Devils opponents have tallied 100 power play tries (14th in the league) and have tallied 18 goals in those attempts. The Devils have had 1,076 shots attempted against them and hold a save percentage of .890. New Jersey has tried 1,106 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 9.1%. While at even strength, the Devils let the opposition score 100 goals while scoring 87 on the offensive side of the ice. New Jersey has accumulated 94 power play chances and they have notched 14 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a rate of 14.89%. For the current campaign, they have accumulated 33 points and their points percentage comes in at .471. In relation to their goal scoring prowess, the New Jersey Devils have accumulated 101 goals (14th in hockey) this season and have given up 118.

The man protecting the net in this game is Mackenzie Blackwood. In his career, Blackwood has 61 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .513. He has a save percentage of .909 during his 7,202 mins guarding the cage. Blackwood has seen 3,814 shot attempts against him and has accrued 3,467 total saves. Opponents have racked up 347 goals against Blackwood in his pro hockey career and his goals against average is 2.89. He has earned an overall mark of 55-48-15 and he was named the starter in 119 games. Blackwood has taken the ice for 126 contests over the course of his pro hockey career.

In their last outing, Columbus went up against the Devils in an outing where the Blue Jackets ended up taking the loss by a final score of 3-1. They had 4 power play opportunities in this contest but weren't able to notch a goal. The Blue Jackets recorded 1 goal out of the 32 shots on goal they tried.

Columbus has attempted 936 shots (27th in the league) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 10.58%, while allowing the other team 1,120 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 76.14% on the other teams 88 power play opportunities, and their save percentage comes in at 89.8%. They have a tally of 83 opportunities on the power play and they have earned a power play percentage of 15.66%. The Blue Jackets are sitting with 86 goals at even strength and 13 goals (30th in professional hockey) while on the power play. They have permitted 114 goals to be scored by way of 93 goals at even strength and 21 goals while they were shorthanded. For the year, the Columbus Blue Jackets have a total of 99 goals, 31 points, in addition to a points percentage of .484.

Across the rink you will find Elvis Merzlikins in net. Merzlikins has accumulated a lifetime record of 33-29-14 and has been in net for 82 games. Merzlikins' rate of quality starts sits at 54.1% and he has earned 40 quality starting assignments in his pro career. He has racked up 2,199 saves out of 2,400 shots attempted, giving him a save % of .916. His opponents are averaging 2.71 goals per game and he has surrendered 201 goals overall. He has started in 74 contests and has played for a total of 4,456 mins.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Columbus (-155)

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