Columbus Blue Jackets vs Boston Bruins Prediction, 3/30/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Boston Bruins

Date: Thursday, March 30, 2023

Location: TD Garden in Boston, MA

TV: NESN

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+300) Bruins (-390)

TD Garden is where the Boston Bruins (57-12-5) will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets (23-43-7) on Thursday. The moneyline on this matchup has the Blue Jackets at +300 while the Bruins are sitting at -390. The betting total comes in at 7.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will look for better times on the ice after their 6-2 loss to the Rangers in their last outing. The Blue Jackets didn't have their best offensive outing in this loss. For the game, they converted 2 of the 30 shots they put on goal. Additionally, they had 4 chances with extra men on the ice and were able to net 1 goal. Columbus garnered 4 penalty minutes in this matchup.

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While at even strength, the Blue Jackets have given up 238 goals while getting 159 of their own. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have earned 213 power play opportunities (23rd in professional hockey) and have scored 52 goals in those chances. In terms of their scoring, the Columbus Blue Jackets have racked up 197 goals (29th in the NHL) this year and have allowed 290. Columbus has tried 2,171 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 9.1%. For the current campaign, they have 53 points and their points percentage is .363. The Blue Jackets thus far have had 2,573 shots tried against them and have earned a save percentage of .887. Columbus has compiled 196 power play opportunities and they have scored 38 goals out of those attempts, earning them a percentage of 19.39%.

The player between the pipes for this game is Elvis Merzlikins. Opponents have been able to score 428 goals against Merzlikins in his pro hockey career and his goals against average per game is 3.13. Merzlikins has been involved in 150 games throughout his NHL career. He has a save percentage of .906 in his 8,192 minutes played. He has compiled a mark of 55-62-22 and he started in 137 games. In his career, Merzlikins has recorded 67 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .489. Merzlikins has seen 4,553 shots against him and has accrued 4,125 total saves.

Their last time out, Boston went up against the Predators in a game where the Bruins took the loss by a final score of 2-1. They had 5 power play chances in this outing but weren't able to score a goal. The Bruins scored 1 goal of the 36 shots on goal they were seeking.

Boston has put up 2,434 shots (8th in hockey) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 11.22%, while allowing their opponents 2,199 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 86.17% on their opponents 253 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently sits at 92.9%. They have recorded 255 opportunities on the power play and they have a power play rate of 21.57%. The Bruins have 218 goals at even strength and 55 goals (10th in the league) while on the power play. They have permitted 156 goals to be scored by of a combination of 121 goals at even strength and 35 goals while they were shorthanded. Over the course of the season, the Boston Bruins have notched a total of 273 goals, 119 points, as well as a points percentage of .804.

For the opposition you will find Jeremy Swayman in the crease. Teams are averaging 2.22 goals per game and he has conceded 176 goals altogether. Swayman's quality start percentage is 66.7% and he has 52 quality starting assignments in his career. He got the starting nod in 78 contests and has accumulated 4,753 mins. Swayman has accrued a lifetime record of 50-23-7 and has been in net for 83 contests. He has recorded 2,026 saves out of the 2,202 shots taken, which gives him a save percentage of .920.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Columbus (+300)

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