Vegas Golden Knights vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 3/13/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Vegas Golden Knights vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Thursday, March 13, 2025

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: NBC4 WCMH-TV

Odds/Point Spread: Golden Knights (-144) Blue Jackets (+120)

Nationwide Arena is the location where the Columbus Blue Jackets (31-25-8) will meet the Vegas Golden Knights (38-19-7) on Thursday. The odds on this game have Vegas at -144 and Columbus is opening at +120. The total comes in at 6.

The Vegas Golden Knights will need a bounce back game after taking a 3-2 defeat against the Penguins their last time on the ice. Vegas accounted for 8 minutes in the box in this game. The Golden Knights could have played much better offensively in the defeat. They also had 1 opportunity with more players on the ice and scored 1 goal. While out there on the ice, they netted 2 of the 37 shots they put on net.

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Vegas Golden Knights opponents have tallied 130 power play opportunities (32nd in hockey) and have a total of 31 goals in those attempts. The Golden Knights have had 1,685 shots tried against them and have earned a save percentage of .896. Vegas has tried 1,964 shots and holds a shot percentage of 10.9%. While playing at even strength, the Golden Knights have given up 144 goals while earning 170 on offense. Vegas has compiled 152 power play opportunities and they have tallied 44 goals out of those attempts, giving them a rate of 28.95%. For the current campaign, they have recorded 83 points and their points percentage sits at .648. In reference to their scoring, the Vegas Golden Knights have racked up 214 goals (6th in hockey) over the course of the season and have allowed 175.

The man in goal for this game is Adin Hill. Over the course of his career, Hill is sitting with 84 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .522. His save percentage currently is .909 during his 7,512 minutes in the crease. Hill has had 4,680 shot attempts against him and has gathered 4,252 saves. Opponents have been able to score 428 goals against Hill in his pro career and his average for goals against per game is 3.42. He has compiled a record of 87-62-12 and he has gotten the start in 161 games. Hill has taken the ice for 174 matchups throughout his professional hockey career.

The last time they were on the ice, Columbus faced off against the Devils in a matchup where the Blue Jackets were on the wrong end of the score by a tally of 5-3. They had 3 chances on the power play in this contest but weren't able to notch a goal. The Blue Jackets scored 3 goals out of the 20 shots on goal they were seeking.

So far this season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have tallied 213 goals, 70 points, in addition to a points percentage of .547. They have granted a total of 212 goals to be scored by way of 168 goals at even strength and 44 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Blue Jackets have 183 goals at even strength and 30 goals (25th in the NHL) while on the power play. They have recorded 149 chances on the power play and they have earned a power play percentage of 20.13%. Columbus has taken 1,821 shots (16th in the NHL) and has a shooting percentage of 11.70%, while allowing the opposition 1,911 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 75.42% on the other teams 179 power play tries, and their save percentage sits at 88.9%.

On the other side of the ice you will find Elvis Merzlikins defending the net. Opponents are averaging 3.92 goals per contest and he has relinquished 689 goals altogether. Merzlikins' quality start percentage is 48.2% and he has made 106 quality starts in his professional career. He has been a starter 220 games and his ice time sits at 10,558 minutes. Merzlikins has accumulated a career mark of 90-96-34 and has been in goal for 234 games. He has compiled 6,386 stops out of the 7,075 shots taken, giving him a save percentage of .903.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Columbus (+120)

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