Columbus Blue Jackets (13-19-8) vs Minnesota Wild (16-17-4)
Game Info: Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 7:00 pm (Nationwide Arena)
Betting Odds: Columbus Blue Jackets +139 / Minnesota Wild -172 --- Over/Under: Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Minnesota Wild have lost 4 straight games. The Columbus Blue Jackets need a win after losing 5 of their last 7 games. Let’s preview this game and give out a Minnesota Wild vs Columbus Blue Jackets prediction.
Minnesota Wild Betting Preview
The Minnesota Wild lost to the Jets, Flames, and Lightning during this streak. The Minnesota Wild are averaging 2.95 goals per game and are scoring on 18 percent of their power play opportunities. Joel Eriksson Ek leads Minnesota with 15 goals, Mats Zuccarello has 22 assists and Kirill Kaprizov has 110 shots on goal. Defensively, the Minnesota Wild are allowing 3.19 goals per game and are killing 72.7 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Filip Gustavsson has allowed 62 goals on 636 shots faced, and Marc-Andre Fleury has given up 50 goals on 481 shots.
Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts
- Matthew Boldy has scored the first goal in four of the Wild's last five games as favorites.
- Marcus Johansson has recorded at least one point in each of his last seven appearances with his team as a favorite against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Kirill Kaprizov has scored at least one goal in each of his last four appearances in night games.
- Marcus Johansson has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six appearances with his team as a favorite against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Brock Faber ranks T1st amongst rookies for Plus/Minus (+9) this season.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets lost to the Sabres and Bruins, but they recently beat the Flyers. The Columbus Blue Jackets are averaging 3.05 goals per game and are scoring on 14.6 percent of their power play opportunities. Boone Jenner leads Columbus with 13 goals, Zach Werenski has 24 assists and Adam Fantilli has 99 shots on goal. Defensively, the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowing 3.63 goals per game and are killing 81.3 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Spencer Martin has allowed 43 goals on 379 shots faced, and Elvis Merzlikins has given up 69 goals on 738 shots.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Kirill Marchenko has scored a goal in three of the Blue Jackets' last four games against Central Division opponents.
- Patrik Laine has recorded at least one point in each of his last 10 Saturday night appearances at Nationwide Arena.
- Johnny Gaudreau has recorded at least one assist in four of the Blue Jackets' last five home games.
- Damon Severson has recorded two assists against the Wild this season - equal-most against any opponent.
Minnesota Wild vs Columbus Blue Jackets prediction
The Minnesota Wild are the better team on paper, but they've done nothing over the last week or so to deserve to be laying these prices on the road. The Columbus Blue Jackets are at their best at home, where 8 of their 13 wins have taken place, and they've been in a lot of competitive overtime games lately. A bounce here or a bounce there, and the Blue Jackets are sitting in much better light. I'll take my chances with the home dog.
Randy’s Pick Columbus Blue Jackets +139
AUTHOR: Randy Chambers
Follow Randy Chambers on Twitter @WizardOf0dds