Vegas Golden Knights vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 3/4/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Vegas Golden Knights vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Monday, March 4, 2024

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Bally Sports Ohio

Odds/Point Spread: Golden Knights (-177) Blue Jackets (+143)

The Vegas Golden Knights (33-21-7) are en route to Nationwide Arena on Monday where they will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets (20-30-10). The line on this matchup has Vegas at -177 and Columbus is at +143. The over/under is 7.

The Vegas Golden Knights were on the losing side of the ice with a 7-2 defeat against the Sabres in their previous contest . Vegas tallied 7 penalty minutes for this contest. Additionally, they had 2 chances with extra men on the ice and were able to notch 1 goal. The Golden Knights didn't have their best offensive outing in the defeat. In the game, they tallied a score on 2 of the 24 shots they tried.

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Vegas Golden Knights opponents have totaled 163 power play opportunities (31st in the NHL) and have scored 32 goals in those chances. The Golden Knights have seen 1,886 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .906. Vegas has taken 1,882 shots and has a shooting percentage of 10.3%. While at even strength, the Golden Knights have allowed 145 goals while having 155 on the offensive side of the ice. Vegas is sitting with 199 power play chances and they have notched 39 goals out of those tries, garnering them a percentage of 19.60%. For the current campaign, they have racked up 73 points and their points % is .598. In the matter of their goal scoring prowess, the Vegas Golden Knights have notched 194 goals (14th in the league) this year and have allowed 177.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Adin Hill. Opponents have scored 297 goals versus Hill in his professional hockey career and his goals against rate is 2.61. Hill has participated in 126 contests throughout his pro hockey career. His save percentage is at .913 for his 6,839 mins played. He has accumulated a mark of 60-45-8 and he started in 113 games. In his professional hockey career, Hill has accumulated 63 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .558. Hill has had 3,409 shots against him and he has 3,112 saves.

In their last contest, Columbus faced off against the Blackhawks in a game where the Blue Jackets took home the victory by a score of 5-2. They had 2 chances on the power play in this one but were not able to net one. The Blue Jackets converted 5 goals of the 31 shots on goal they took.

Columbus has attempted 1,802 shots (22nd in the league) and has a shooting percentage of 9.77%, while allowing the other team 1,999 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 77.01% on their oppositions 174 tries on the power play, and their save percentage is currently 89.0%. They have a total of 170 power play chances and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 14.71%. The Blue Jackets are sitting with 151 goals at even strength and 25 goals (31st in hockey) while having a power play advantage. They have allowed 219 goals to be scored by of a combination of 179 goals at even strength and 40 goals while they were shorthanded. For the season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have earned 176 goals, 50 points, in addition to a points percentage of .417.

On the other side of the ice you will find Elvis Merzlikins defending the net. Merzlikins is the owner of a career mark of 67-75-29 and has been in net for 185 games. Merzlikins' quality start rate comes out to 48.5% and he has made 83 quality starts in his professional career. He has accounted for 5,101 stops out of the 5,633 shots attempted, which gives him a save % of .906. The opposition is averaging 3.15 goals per game and he has surrendered 532 goals altogether. He got the starting nod in 171 games and his ice time sits at 10,136 minutes.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Vegas (-177)

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