Detroit Red Wings vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 1/2/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Detroit Red Wings vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Thursday, January 2, 2025

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: NBC4 WCMH-TV

Odds/Point Spread: Red Wings (+120) Blue Jackets (-144)

The Columbus Blue Jackets (15-16-6) host the Detroit Red Wings (14-18-4) at Nationwide Arena on Thursday. The odds on this game have the Red Wings at +120 and the Blue Jackets are opening at -144. The betting total comes in at 6.

The Detroit Red Wings were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 4-2 win over the Capitals their last time out. Detroit amassed 8 penalty minutes in this game. The Red Wings had a solid offensive outing and it was apparent in this win. Moreover, they had 4 power play tries and were able to net 1 goal. In the matchup, they finished 4 of the 27 shots they tried.

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Detroit Red Wings opponents have earned 99 power play tries (23rd in professional hockey) and have come away with 30 goals in those chances. The Red Wings so far have had 1,073 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .890. Detroit has attempted 905 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 10.3%. At even strength, the Red Wings let the opposition score 88 goals while having 69 themselves. Detroit is sitting with 105 power play opportunities and they have scored 24 goals out of those chances, earning them a rate of 22.86%. For the season, they have accumulated 32 points and their points percentage comes in at .444. When it comes to their goal scoring prowess, the Detroit Red Wings have racked up 93 goals (29th in pro hockey) so far this year and have conceded 118.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Cam Talbot. Opponents have been able to score 1,271 goals against Talbot in his career and his goals against rate is 2.74. Talbot has been in goal for 505 games throughout his hockey career. His save percentage sits at .913 in his 27,824 mins in the crease. He has compiled a mark of 251-185-44 and was named the starter in 483 games. Over the course of his time in hockey, Talbot has accrued 267 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is at .553. Talbot has had 14,638 shot attempts taken against him and has gathered 13,367 total saves.

In their last game, Columbus faced the Bruins in an outing where the Blue Jackets went home in defeat by a tally of 4-0. They had 3 attempts on the power play in this matchup but weren't able to finish one of them with a goal. The Blue Jackets scored 0 goals of the 18 shots on goal they pursued.

Columbus has put up 1,115 shots (5th in the league) and has earned a shot percentage of 10.94%, while allowing their opponents 1,072 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 75.00% on their opponents 108 power play tries, and their save percentage sits at 87.6%. They have a total of 100 chances on the power play and they have earned a power play rate of 21.00%. The Blue Jackets have 101 goals at even strength and 21 goals (19th in pro hockey) while having a power play advantage. They have granted a total of 133 goals to be scored by of a combination of 106 goals at even strength and 27 goals while they had less men on the ice. Over the course of the season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have 122 goals, 36 points, in addition to a points percentage of .486.

On the other side of the ice you are expected to see Elvis Merzlikins in net. Teams are averaging 3.59 goals per contest and he has surrendered 629 goals altogether. Merzlikins' quality start percentage is 48.0% and he has 96 quality starting assignments in his professional career. He has started in 200 contests and has played 10,508 minutes. Merzlikins has accrued a career mark of 79-88-33 and has played in 214 contests. He has recorded 5,835 stops out of the 6,464 shots taken against him, which gives him a save percentage of .903.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Detroit (+120)

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