Vancouver Canucks vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 1/15/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Vancouver Canucks vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Monday, January 15, 2024

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Bally Sports Ohio

Odds/Point Spread: Canucks (-225) Blue Jackets (+180)

The Vancouver Canucks (29-11-3) are en route to Nationwide Arena on Monday where they will compete against the Columbus Blue Jackets (13-21-9). The odds on this game have Vancouver at -225 and Columbus is priced at +180. The total is set at 7.

The Vancouver Canucks went home feeling good about their game by earning a 1-0 win against the Sabres in their last outing. Vancouver accumulated 15 mins in the box for this matchup. The Canucks had an offensive game that was below their expectations in this victory. They also had 2 attempts on the power play but didn't net one. In the game, they scored on 1 of the 23 shots they looked to score on.

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At even strength, the Canucks have given up 82 goals while earning 133 on offense. Vancouver Canucks opponents have tallied 127 power play opportunities (18th in the league) and have scored 27 goals in those chances. In terms of scoring goals, the Vancouver Canucks have racked up 165 goals (1st in the league) for the season and have conceded 109. Vancouver has taken 1,213 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 13.6%. For the year, they have earned 61 points and their points percentage comes in at .709. The Canucks so far have had 1,293 shots tried against them and have earned a save percentage of .916. Vancouver has tallied 138 power play opportunities and they have scored 32 goals out of those tries, garnering them a rate of 23.19%.

The man protecting the net in this game is Thatcher Demko. The opposition has been able to score 549 goals against Demko in his NHL career and his goals against rate is 2.83. Demko has been involved in 199 games throughout his pro hockey career. His save percentage is at .912 for his 11,637 mins on the ice. He has accumulated an overall mark of 103-75-16 and was named the starter in 193 games. During his career on the ice, Demko has accounted for 109 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .565. Demko has had 6,210 shots taken against him and he has 5,661 total saves.

In their last contest, Columbus opposed the Kraken in a game where the Blue Jackets went home in defeat by a score of 7-4. They had 3 attempts on the power play in this outing and recorded 1 out of those attempts. The Blue Jackets netted 4 goals of the 34 shots on goal they were seeking.

On the year, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accounted for 129 goals, 35 points, as well as a points percentage of .407. They have granted a total of 161 goals to be scored by way of 136 goals at even strength and 25 goals while they were shorthanded. The Blue Jackets have scored 111 goals at even strength and 18 goals (27th in pro hockey) while having a power play advantage. They have a tally of 120 chances on the power play and they have a power play rate of 15.00%. Columbus has tried 1,259 shots (19th in pro hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 10.25%, while allowing their opponents 1,470 shots. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 79.34% on their opponents 121 power play chances, and their save percentage comes in at 89.0%.

On the other side of the ice you are expected to see Elvis Merzlikins defending the net. He has accrued 4,794 saves out of 5,291 shots taken, giving him a save percentage of .906. Merzlikins has accrued a career mark of 62-70-28 and has participated in 173 games. He has made the start in 160 games and has been on the ice for 9,468 mins. Merzlikins' quality start percentage sits at 48.1% and he has qualified for 77 quality starting assignments in his hockey career. Teams are averaging 3.15 goals/game and he has surrendered 497 goals altogether.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Vancouver (-225)

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