Columbus Blue Jackets vs Edmonton Oilers Prediction, 12/5/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Edmonton Oilers

Date: Thursday, December 5, 2024

Location: Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB

TV: Sportsnet

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+150) Oilers (-182)

The Columbus Blue Jackets (11-10-3) are traveling to Rogers Place on Thursday where they will try to defeat the Edmonton Oilers (13-10-2). The moneyline on this contest has the Blue Jackets at +150 while the Oilers are sitting at -182. The over/under is set at 6.5.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will look to clean up some issues after taking a 3-0 loss against the Flames in their last outing. The Blue Jackets had a below average offensive outing in this loss. In the matchup, they couldn't finish any of the 16 shots they attempted. They also had 1 power play try but weren't able to net one. Columbus accrued 8 penalty minutes in this game.

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Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have amassed 77 power play opportunities (15th in the NHL) and have notched 21 goals in those attempts. The Blue Jackets have seen 687 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .878. Columbus has taken 752 shots and holds a shot percentage of 11.0%. While playing at even strength, the Blue Jackets have allowed the opponent to score 63 goals while scoring 72 on the offensive side of the ice. Columbus has accounted for 62 power play chances and they have scored 11 goals out of those advantages, giving them a rate of 17.74%. For the current campaign, they sit with 25 points and their points percentage is sitting at .521. In relation to their goal scoring prowess, the Columbus Blue Jackets have tallied 83 goals (9th in the NHL) for the year and have given up 84.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Elvis Merzlikins. Opponents have scored 606 goals versus Merzlikins in his career and his goals against average per contest is 3.47. Merzlikins has taken the ice for 207 games over the course of his NHL career. He has a save percentage of .903 for his 10,490 minutes played. He has compiled a mark of 76-85-32 and he was named the starter in 193 games. During his career on the ice, Merzlikins has 93 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is at .482. Merzlikins has had 6,272 shots against him and has recorded 5,666 saves.

When they took the ice last, Edmonton squared up with the Golden Knights in a matchup where the Oilers took the loss by a final of 1-0. They had 1 opportunity on the power play in this contest but weren't able to notch a goal. The Oilers tallied 0 goals out of the 28 shots on goal they took.

Over the course of the season, the Edmonton Oilers have a total of 72 goals, 28 points, and a points percentage of .560. They have granted a total of 74 goals to be scored by of a combination of 57 goals at even strength and 17 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Oilers have scored 61 goals at even strength and 11 goals (27th in the NHL) while having more men on the ice. They have a total of 62 power play opportunities and they have a power play rate of 17.74%. Edmonton has attempted 824 shots (2nd in pro hockey) and has a shot percentage of 8.74%, while allowing the other team 645 shots. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 72.13% on the other teams 61 power play chances, and their save percentage currently comes in at 88.5%.

For the opposition you are likely to see Stuart Skinner protecting the net. He has accounted for 3,569 stops out of the 3,935 shots taken against him, giving him a rate of .907. Skinner is the owner of a career record of 80-43-12 and has participated in 140 games. He has been a starter 135 games and his ice time sits at 7,099 mins. Skinner's quality start percentage sits at 58.5% and he has accumulated 79 quality starts in his professional career. Teams are averaging 3.09 goals/game and he has conceded 366 goals in total.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Columbus (+150)

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