New Jersey Devils vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 3/17/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New Jersey Devils vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Monday, March 17, 2025

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: NBC4 WCMH-TV

Odds/Point Spread: Devils (-152) Blue Jackets (+126)

Nationwide Arena is where the Columbus Blue Jackets (31-26-8) will go up against the New Jersey Devils (36-25-6) on Monday. The moneyline on this contest has New Jersey at -152 and Columbus is at +126. The betting total is set at 6.

The New Jersey Devils had a good night with a 3-2 win against the Oilers in their previous game. The Devils offense showed they have some room for improvement in this victory. In the outing, they scored on 3 of the 22 shots they looked to score on. Moreover, they had 3 chances with the advantage but didn't convert them into a score. New Jersey amassed 2 penalty minutes in this contest.

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New Jersey Devils opponents have 187 power play tries (15th in hockey) and have earned 32 goals in those attempts. The Devils have seen 1,770 shots taken against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .905. New Jersey has taken 1,924 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 10.4%. When at even strength, the Devils have given up 137 goals while notching 150 when they are on offense. New Jersey has 183 power play opportunities and they have notched 50 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a rate of 27.32%. For the year, they have recorded 78 points and their points percentage is sitting at .582. With regard to their goal scoring prowess, the New Jersey Devils have tallied 200 goals (12th in the NHL) this season and have surrendered 169.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Jacob Markstrom. Markstrom has taken the ice for 525 games throughout his NHL career. He has an overall mark of 237-208-62 and he started in 508 games. Opponents have tallied 1,358 goals versus Markstrom in his career and his goals against average is 2.91. Markstrom has had 14,878 shots taken against him and has garnered 13,520 saves. He has a save percentage of .909 during his 27,953 mins in the crease. During his career on the ice, Markstrom is sitting with 270 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .531.

Their last time out, Columbus faced the Golden Knights in a matchup where the Blue Jackets ended up losing by a mark of 4-0. The Blue Jackets scored 0 goals out of the 27 shots on goal they tried. They had 3 power play chances in this contest but didn't put one in the back of the net.

On the season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have earned a total of 213 goals, 70 points, and a points percentage of .538. They have permitted 216 goals to be scored by way of 171 goals at even strength and 45 goals while they were shorthanded. The Blue Jackets have earned 183 goals at even strength and 30 goals (26th in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have recorded 152 power play chances and they have accumulated a power play rate of 19.74%. Columbus has attempted 1,848 shots (16th in pro hockey) and has a shot percentage of 11.53%, while allowing the other team 1,940 shots. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 75.27% on their opponents 182 power play chances, and their save percentage currently sits at 88.9%.

For the opposition you are expected to see Elvis Merzlikins defending the net. He has compiled 6,411 saves out of 7,103 shots attempted against him, which gives him a save % of .903. Merzlikins has a lifetime mark of 90-97-34 and has been in goal for 235 contests. He has started in 221 games and his ice time sits at 10,560 minutes. Merzlikins' quality start rate sits at 48.0% and he has 106 quality starts in his pro career. Opponents are averaging 3.93 goals per contest and he has surrendered 692 goals altogether.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Columbus (+126)

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