Columbus Blue Jackets vs Utah Hockey Club Prediction, 1/31/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Utah Hockey Club

Date: Friday, January 31, 2025

Location: Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah

TV: Utah 16

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (-196) Hockey Club (+162)

Delta Center is where the Utah Hockey Club (21-21-8) will go up against the Columbus Blue Jackets (24-19-7) on Friday. The moneyline on this contest has Columbus at -196 and Utah is coming in at +162. The over/under comes in at 6.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 3-2 win against the Kings in their previous game. Columbus accrued 2 minutes in the box in this outing. They also had 1 chance with extra men on the ice but weren't able to net one. The Blue Jackets had a middle of the road offensive outing in this victory. While out there on the ice, they netted 3 of the 24 shots they attempted.

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Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have recorded 139 power play opportunities (20th in the NHL) and have a total of 35 goals in those attempts. The Blue Jackets so far have had 1,452 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .885. Columbus has taken 1,470 shots and holds a shot percentage of 11.2%. While at even strength, the Blue Jackets have conceded 132 goals while scoring 137 on the offensive side of the ice. Columbus has 124 power play opportunities and they have notched 28 goals out of those attempts, giving them a percentage of 22.58%. For the current season, they have 55 points and their points percentage sits at .550. Regarding their goal scoring prowess, the Columbus Blue Jackets have earned 165 goals (9th in hockey) so far this year and have given up 167.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Daniil Tarasov. In his professional hockey career, Tarasov has compiled 26 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is at .473. His save percentage currently is at .897 during his 2,458 mins played. Tarasov has had 1,822 shot attempts taken against him and has accrued 1,635 saves. Opponents have been able to score 187 goals versus Tarasov in his NHL career and his goals against average is 4.56. He has earned a mark of 16-31-6 and he was named the starter in 55 games. Tarasov has played in 58 games during his hockey career.

In their last contest, Utah faced off against the Penguins in an outing where the Hockey Club took the defeat by a final score of 3-2. The Hockey Club scored 2 goals of the 29 shots on goal they attempted. They had 1 opportunity on the power play in this matchup and earned 1 on that try.

The Hockey Club have earned 110 goals at even strength and 31 goals (13th in professional hockey) while on the power play. Utah has taken 1,372 shots (26th in pro hockey) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 10.28%, while allowing their opponents 1,419 shots. On the season, the Utah Hockey Club have a total of 141 goals, 50 points, in addition to a points percentage of .500. They have granted a total of 148 goals to be scored by of a combination of 119 goals at even strength and 29 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have earned 138 power play opportunities and they have a power play rate of 22.46%. They have a penalty kill rate of 81.76% on the other teams 159 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage is currently 89.6%.

Across the ice you will find Karel Vejmelka protecting the goal. Vejmelka has accrued a career record of 55-89-14 and has been in goal for 170 contests. Vejmelka's quality start rate comes out to 45.9% and he has 73 quality starting assignments in his pro career. He has gathered 4,721 stops out of 5,245 shots attempted against him, which gives him a save percentage of .900. His opponents are averaging 4.02 goals per game and he has given up 524 goals in total. He has started in 159 games and has been on the ice for 7,827 mins.

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

Parlays Pundit's Pick: Take Utah (+162) and under 6 goals

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