Boston Bruins vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 12/27/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Boston Bruins vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Friday, December 27, 2024

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: NBC4 WCMH-TV

Odds/Point Spread: Bruins (-152) Blue Jackets (+126)

Nationwide Arena is the site where the Columbus Blue Jackets (13-15-6) will take on the Boston Bruins (18-13-4) on Friday. The moneyline on this contest has the Bruins at -152 and the Blue Jackets are sitting at +126. The betting total is set at 6.

The Boston Bruins were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 3-1 victory against the Sabres their last time out. The Bruins offense didn't overly impress in the victory. For the game, they netted 3 out of the 19 shots they attempted. Additionally, they had 3 power play attempts and were able to notch 1 goal. Boston accounted for 6 mins in the box in this matchup.

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When discussing their goal scoring prowess, the Boston Bruins have earned 91 goals (26th in the NHL) this year and have given up 108. For the season, the have a total of 40 points and their points percentage comes in at .571. Boston has accounted for 121 power play chances and they have scored 16 goals out of those chances, garnering them a percentage of 13.22%. While playing at even strength, the Bruins let the opposition score 82 goals while having 75 when they are on offense. Boston has taken 975 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 9.3%. The Bruins so far have had 952 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .887. Boston Bruins opponents have 116 power play tries (4th in professional hockey) and have come away with 26 goals in those chances.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Jeremy Swayman. Opponents have racked up 369 goals against Swayman in his pro career and his goals against rate is 2.90. Swayman has played in 156 games throughout his NHL career. He has a save percentage of .914 in his 7,629 mins played. He has compiled an overall record of 90-43-18 and he started in 149 games. Over the course of his career, Swayman has earned 92 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .617. Swayman has seen 4,276 shots taken against him and has accrued 3,907 saves.

The last time they were on the ice, Columbus went up against the Flyers in a game where the Blue Jackets went home in defeat by a final score of 5-4. They had 1 opportunity on the power play in this matchup but were not able to net one. The Blue Jackets converted 4 goals of the 25 shots on goal they pursued.

Columbus has taken 1,032 shots (6th in professional hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 10.76%, while allowing their opponents 987 shots. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 73.53% on their opponents 102 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage currently comes in at 87.5%. They have a total of 91 opportunities on the power play and they have earned a power play percentage of 18.68%. The Blue Jackets have scored 94 goals at even strength and 17 goals (23rd in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have granted a total of 123 goals to be scored by way of 96 goals at even strength and 27 goals while they were shorthanded. So far this year, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accounted for 111 goals, 32 points, in addition to a points percentage of .471.

On the other side of the ice you will find Elvis Merzlikins in the crease. He has a tally of 5,811 stops out of the 6,438 shots attempted, which gives him a rate of .903. Merzlikins has compiled a career record of 78-88-33 and has played in 213 contests. He has made the start in 199 games and has played for a total of 10,505 mins. Merzlikins' quality start percentage is 47.7% and he has accumulated 95 quality starting assignments in his professional career. Teams are averaging 3.58 goals/game and he has yielded 627 goals overall.

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

Parlays Pundit's Pick: Take Columbus (+126) and under 6 goals

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