Columbus Blue Jackets vs Vegas Golden Knights Prediction, 1/30/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Vegas Golden Knights

Date: Thursday, January 30, 2025

Location: T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, NV

TV: Vegas 34

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+220) Golden Knights (-275)

The Vegas Golden Knights (31-15-5) are hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets (24-19-7) at T-Mobile Arena on Thursday. The moneyline on this contest has Columbus at +220 while Vegas is at -275. The betting total is set at 6.5.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will head into their next game feeling good after earning a 3-2 victory against the Kings in their previous outing. Columbus compiled 2 penalty mins in this game. In addition, they had 1 chance with extra men on the ice but didn't get a goal. The Blue Jackets had an average offensive outing in the victory. While out there on the ice, they netted 3 out of the 24 shots they put on net.

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When discussing their scoring capabilities, the Columbus Blue Jackets have earned 165 goals (8th in the NHL) so far this year and have given up 167. For the current campaign, they have scored 55 points and their points % is .550. Columbus has accumulated 124 power play chances and they have scored 28 goals out of those advantages, giving them a percentage of 22.58%. While playing at even strength, the Blue Jackets have allowed the opponent to score 132 goals while having 137 as an offensive unit. Columbus has tried 1,470 shots and has a shooting percentage of 11.2%. The Blue Jackets have had 1,452 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .885. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have earned 139 power play tries (19th in hockey) and have scored 35 goals in those attempts.

The player protecting the goal in this game is Elvis Merzlikins. Over the course of his pro career, Merzlikins has accumulated 101 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is at .483. His save percentage currently is at .903 during his 10,530 minutes guarding the cage. Merzlikins has had 6,718 shot attempts against him and has recorded 6,065 total saves. Opponents have racked up 653 goals against Merzlikins in his professional career and his average for goals against per game is 3.72. He has amassed an overall mark of 86-90-33 and he started in 209 games. Merzlikins has been involved in 223 games over the course of his pro hockey career.

In their last game, Vegas faced the Stars in a game where the Golden Knights ended up losing by a final of 4-3. They had 2 power play attempts in this one and converted 1 out of those chances. The Golden Knights notched 3 goals of the 28 shots on goal they tried.

Vegas has tried 1,554 shots (4th in pro hockey) and has a shot percentage of 11.13%, while allowing their opponents 1,375 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 78.18% on their opponents 110 power play opportunities, and their save percentage comes in at 89.7%. They have recorded 120 power play chances and they have earned a power play percentage of 28.33%. The Golden Knights have earned 139 goals at even strength and 34 goals (8th in professional hockey) while on the power play. They have permitted 141 goals to be scored by way of 117 goals at even strength and 24 goals while they had less men on the ice. For the season, the Vegas Golden Knights have earned a total of 173 goals, 67 points, in addition to a points percentage of .657.

Across the rink you are likely to see Adin Hill between the pipes. He has gathered 4,098 saves out of 4,512 shots tried, which gives him a rate of .908. Hill has earned a lifetime mark of 83-60-12 and has played in 168 games. He got the starting nod in 155 games and has been on the ice for 7,497 minutes. Hill's quality start percentage is 51.6% and he has qualified for 80 quality starting assignments in his pro hockey career. Opponents are averaging 3.31 goals per contest and he has allowed 414 goals altogether.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Columbus (+220)

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