| MATCHUP | New Jersey Devils | Columbus Blue Jackets |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 20-17-2 | 17-15-6 |
| Spread | +1.5 -270 | -1.5 220 |
| Moneyline | -108 | -112 |
| Total | Over 5.5 (-135) | Under 5.5 (114) |
| Where | Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH | |
| When | Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
New Jersey Devils Betting Preview
The New Jersey Devils lost to the Capitals and Maple Leafs, and they play the Mammoth next. The Devils have lost 4 straight games.
The New Jersey Devils are averaging 2.64 goals per game and are scoring 20.6 percent of their power play opportunities. Timo Meier leads New Jersey with 11 goals, Jesper Bratt has 23 assists and Nico Hischier has 98 shots on goal. Defensively, the New Jersey Devils are allowing 3.03 goals per game and are killing 75.7 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jacob Markstrom has allowed 61 goals on 525 shots faced, while Jake Allen has given up 50 goals on 557 shots.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Senators and Islanders, and play the Sabres next. The Blue Jackets have won 3 straight games.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are averaging 2.95 goals per game and are scoring 19.2 percent of their power play opportunities. Zach Werenski leads Columbus with 14 goals, Charlie Coyle has 19 assists and Adam Fantilli has 106 shots on goal. Defensively, the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowing 3.34 goals per game and are killing 75.7 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jet Greaves has allowed 65 goals on 714 shots faced, and Elvis Merzlikins has given up 54 goals on 440 shots.
Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win
- The Devils have lost eight of their last nine night games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Blue Jackets have won each of their last five night games following a road win.
- The Devils have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 10 games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in each of their last four games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Blue Jackets have won the second period in five of their last six games against Eastern Conference opponents when trailing after the first period.
Why the New Jersey Devils will win
- The Devils have won each of their last four games as road underdogs.
- The Blue Jackets have lost four of their last five games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in eight of their last nine games as favorites against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Devils have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games as road underdogs.
- The underdogs have won the second period in five of the Devils’ last six games.
Total Goals Facts
- Seven of the Devils’ last eight games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the last four night games between the Devils and Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Seven of the last eight Wednesday night games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Blue Jackets’ last nine home games against the Devils.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in 13 of the Devils’ last 14 road games against the Blue Jackets.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Sean Monahan has scored a goal in four of his last five appearances with his team as a home favorite against the Devils.
- Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in 23 of his last 25 appearances with the Blue Jackets as home favorites.
- Ivan Provorov has recorded two assists against the Devils this season – equal-most against any opponent.
New Jersey Devils Player Prop Facts
- Timo Meier has scored a goal in six of the Devils’ last seven games against the Blue Jackets.
- Nico Hischier has recorded an assist in each of the Devils’ last five games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Dawson Mercer has scored two goals against the Blue Jackets this season – equal-most against any opponent.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Columbus Blue Jackets have suffered the equal-most losses when tied or leading after Period 2 this season (12).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 32nd in the league for Period 3 goals allowed per game this season (1.39).
- The New Jersey Devils rank T1st in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (0).
- The New Jersey Devils have recorded the equal-most wins when trailing after Period 1 this season (6).
New Jersey Devils vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction
The Devils have been the better team this season, and they have 10 road wins. However, the Devils are in a serious funk, where they’ve lost 4 straight games and have scored 1 or fewer goals in 3 of those games. The Blue Jackets are having possibly their best week of the season and the defensive effort has improved. The Blue Jackets also beat the Devils on the road earlier this month. Two teams having completely different weeks. I’ll side with the hot hand and roll with the Blue Jackets on their home ice.