Columbus Blue Jackets vs Detroit Red Wings Prediction, 2/27/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Detroit Red Wings

Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025

Location: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI

TV: Fanduel Sports Network

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+172) Red Wings (-210)

The Columbus Blue Jackets (28-22-8) are hitting the road to Little Caesars Arena on Thursday where they will play the Detroit Red Wings (30-22-6). The moneyline on this contest has Columbus at +172 and Detroit opens at -210. The total is set at 6.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 6-4 win against the Stars in their previous contest . The Blue Jackets had a solid offensive outing and it was apparent in the win. In the game, they were able to notch a goal on 6 out of the 29 shots they looked to score on. They also had 2 opportunities with more players on the ice but weren't able to make the most of them. Columbus accrued 6 penalty minutes for this game.

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While playing at even strength, the Blue Jackets have allowed 152 goals while earning 162 themselves. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have tallied 157 power play tries (20th in pro hockey) and have scored 38 goals in those chances. In regard to their goal scoring prowess, the Columbus Blue Jackets have notched 191 goals (6th in the National Hockey League) on the season and have surrendered 190. Columbus has tried 1,673 shots and holds a shot percentage of 11.4%. For the year, they have earned 64 points and their points percentage sits at .552. The Blue Jackets have had 1,696 shots attempted against them and hold a save percentage of .888. Columbus skates onto the rink with 136 power play chances and they have notched 29 goals out of those chances, giving them a percentage of 21.32%.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Elvis Merzlikins. Opponents have scored 674 goals against Merzlikins in his NHL career and his goals against average is 3.83. Merzlikins has participated in 230 contests over the course of his hockey career. His save percentage sits at .903 during his 10,548 mins in the crease. He has earned a record of 89-93-34 and he was named the starter in 216 games. Over the course of his career, Merzlikins has accumulated 104 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .481. Merzlikins has had 6,928 shot attempts taken against him and has garnered 6,254 total saves.

Their last time out, Detroit faced the Wild in an outing where the Red Wings earned a victory by a mark of 3-2. The Red Wings notched 3 goals out of the 16 shots on goal they tried. They had 1 opportunity on the power play in this outing but didn't put one in the back of the net.

The Red Wings have earned 118 goals at even strength and 50 goals (2nd in the NHL) while on the power play. Detroit has taken 1,560 shots (28th in pro hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 10.77%, while allowing their opponents 1,693 shots. On the campaign, the Detroit Red Wings have notched a total of 168 goals, 66 points, as well as a points percentage of .569. They have granted a total of 181 goals to be scored by of a combination of 139 goals at even strength and 42 goals while they were shorthanded. They have a tally of 171 opportunities on the power play and they have accumulated a power play rate of 29.24%. They have a penalty kill rate of 69.57% on the other teams 138 power play chances, and their save percentage currently sits at 89.3%.

Across the rink you are likely to see Cam Talbot protecting the net. Opponents are averaging 2.82 goals per contest and he has relinquished 1,307 goals altogether. Talbot's quality start percentage comes out to 55.4% and he has 274 quality starts in his professional career. He got the starting nod in 495 games and has been on the ice for 27,857 mins. Talbot has accumulated a lifetime mark of 262-187-45 and has been in goal for 519 games. He has accrued 13,706 saves out of the 15,013 shots attempted against him, which gives him a rate of .913.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Columbus (+172)

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