Anaheim Ducks vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 12/14/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Anaheim Ducks vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: NBC4 WCMH-TV

Odds/Point Spread: Ducks (+110) Blue Jackets (-130)

Nationwide Arena is the site where the Columbus Blue Jackets (12-13-3) will meet the Anaheim Ducks (10-13-4) on Saturday. The odds on this game have the Ducks at +110 and the Blue Jackets are sitting at -130. The over/under is set at 6.

The Anaheim Ducks were on the losing side of the ice with a 5-1 loss against the Senators their last time out. Anaheim tallied 32 minutes in the box in this game. Moreover, they had 5 attempts on the power play but weren't able to net one. The Ducks offense left a lot to be desired in the loss. In the game, they converted 1 out of the 32 shots they put on net.

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Anaheim Ducks opponents have totaled 76 power play opportunities (27th in the league) and have tallied 21 goals in those attempts. The Ducks have had 888 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .907. Anaheim has taken 748 shots and has a shooting percentage of 8.6%. While playing at even strength, the Ducks have surrendered 62 goals while scoring 52 on the offensive side of the ice. Anaheim steps onto the ice with 81 power play opportunities and they have scored 12 goals out of those tries, garnering them a percentage of 14.81%. For the current season, they have earned 24 points and their points % is .444. When discussing their scoring, the Anaheim Ducks have accumulated 64 goals (31st in hockey) this year and have given up 83.

The man protecting the goal in this game is John Gibson. Opponents have been able to score 1,342 goals against Gibson in his pro career and his goals against average per game is 2.95. Gibson has participated in 486 games during his hockey career. His save percentage sits at .910 during his 27,263 mins on the ice. He has accumulated a mark of 197-210-62 and he started in 475 games. For his career, Gibson has 255 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .537. Gibson has seen 14,886 shots against him and he has 13,544 total saves.

Their last time out, Columbus faced the Flyers in a game where the Blue Jackets ended up losing by a mark of 5-3. The Blue Jackets earned 3 goals of the 18 shots on goal they took. They had 2 chances on the power play in this contest and scored 1 out of those attempts.

The Blue Jackets have scored 82 goals at even strength and 13 goals (28th in pro hockey) while having more men on the ice. Columbus has tried 852 shots (11th in the league) and has a shooting percentage of 11.15%, while allowing the opposition 790 shots. For the year, the Columbus Blue Jackets are sitting with 95 goals, 27 points, and a points percentage of .482. They have allowed 101 goals to be scored by of a combination of 75 goals at even strength and 26 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have a tally of 71 chances on the power play and they have a power play rate of 18.31%. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 71.43% on the other teams 91 power play tries, and their save percentage currently sits at 87.2%.

For the opposition you are likely to see Elvis Merzlikins defending the net. Merzlikins has accrued a career mark of 77-87-32 and has played in 210 games. Merzlikins' percentage of quality starts comes out to 48.0% and he has made 94 quality starts in his career. He has tallied 5,722 saves out of the 6,338 shots taken against him, giving him a save percentage of .903. Opponents are averaging 3.52 goals per contest and he has relinquished 616 goals overall. He got the starting nod in 196 games and has played 10,497 minutes.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Anaheim (+110)

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