Seattle Kraken vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 3/3/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Seattle Kraken vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Friday, March 3, 2023

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Bally Sports Ohio

Odds/Point Spread: Kraken (-163) Blue Jackets (+138)

Nationwide Arena is the location where the Columbus Blue Jackets (20-35-6) will try to beat the Seattle Kraken (33-21-6) on Friday. The moneyline on this contest has the Kraken at -163 and the Blue Jackets are sitting at +138. The over/under has been set at 7.

The Seattle Kraken came out of this game feeling pretty good about themselves with a 5-3 win against the Blues their last time out. The Kraken had a impressive offensive performance in the victory. For the outing, they converted 5 of the 26 shots they put on net. Moreover, they had 2 power play tries but didn't get a goal. Seattle had 8 mins in the box in this matchup.

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When playing at even strength, the Kraken have conceded 143 goals while scoring 174 on the offensive side of the ice. Seattle Kraken opponents have amassed 173 power play opportunities (27th in professional hockey) and have a total of 46 goals in those chances. Concerning their scoring, the Seattle Kraken have accumulated 208 goals (8th in the NHL) for the year and have given up 189. Seattle has tried 1,790 shots and holds a shot percentage of 11.6%. For the current campaign, they have accumulated 72 points and their points % is .600. The Kraken have seen 1,672 shots attempted against them and hold a save percentage of .887. Seattle has tallied 172 power play chances and they have scored 34 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a rate of 19.77%.

The man in net for this game is Martin Jones. Jones has participated in 436 games during his NHL career. He has earned a record of 222-160-35 and he has gotten the start in 423 games. The opposition has scored 1,123 goals versus Jones in his NHL career and his goals against average is 2.70. Jones has seen 11,932 shots taken against him and has gathered 10,809 saves. His save percentage currently is .906 during his 24,967 minutes between the pipes. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Jones has accounted for 218 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .515.

The last time they were on the ice, Columbus faced the Sabres in a matchup where the Blue Jackets notched a win by a final score of 5-3. They had 1 power play opportunity in this game and recorded 1 on that opportunity. The Blue Jackets converted 5 goals out of the 36 shots on goal they were seeking.

On the campaign, the Columbus Blue Jackets have notched a total of 158 goals, 46 points, as well as a points percentage of .377. They have granted a total of 224 goals to be scored by of a combination of 181 goals at even strength and 43 goals while they were shorthanded. The Blue Jackets have earned 131 goals at even strength and 27 goals (32nd in the NHL) while having a power play advantage. They have a total of 161 power play chances and they have earned a power play percentage of 16.77%. Columbus has attempted 1,785 shots (26th in the NHL) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 8.85%, while allowing the other team 2,138 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 76.88% on the other teams 186 power play tries, and their save percentage currently sits at 89.5%.

For the opposition you are going to see Elvis Merzlikins patrolling the crease. Teams are averaging 3.09 goals per game and he has surrendered 415 goals in total. Merzlikins' quality start percentage comes out to 48.1% and he has qualified for 64 quality starts in his professional career. He got the starting nod in 133 contests and his ice time sits at 8,053 minutes. Merzlikins has amassed a career record of 55-59-22 and has been in net for 146 games. He is sitting with 4,050 stops out of the 4,465 shots tried, giving him a percentage of .907.

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

Parlays Pundit's Pick: Take Columbus (+138) and under 6.5 goals

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