St. Louis Blues vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction NHL Picks 1/4/25

In this article, we will formulate a St. Louis Blues vs Columbus Blue Jackets prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, January 4th at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup. 

St. Louis Blues Betting Preview

The St. Louis Blues are 19-17-4 this season after they defeated Ottawa by a score of 4-0 in their last game. St. Louis scored twice in the first, once in the second, and once in the third in the shutout win. The Blues outshot Ottawa by a total of 25-20, won 52.7% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. St. Louis got goals from Saad (3) and Schenn, while Binnington stopped all 20 shots that he faced. 

Prior to that game, the Blues defeated the Blackhawks by a score of 6-2 but did lose to the Sabres by a score of 4-2 before that. St. Louis has won four of their last five games and they are currently fifth in the Central standings with 42 points. St. Louis has scored 2.69 goals per game and they have allowed 3.00 goals against per game, while also going 16.7% on the power play and 73.5% on the penalty kill this season. Jordan Kyrou has led St. Louis with 16 goals, 16 assists, and 113 shots on goal, while Robert Thomas has added eight goals, 21 assists, and 55 shots on goal. Joel Hofer is 8-3-1 with a 2.75 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage this season. 

Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets are 16-17-6 this year after they lost to Detroit by a score of 5-4 in their last game. Columbus trailed 3-1 and 4-3, but they tied the game at four in the third period, before allowing a goal with 36 seconds left for the loss. The Blue Jackets were outshot by a total of 26-25, won 51% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Columbus got goals from Monahan, van Riemsdyk (2), and Werenski, while Merzlikins stopped 21 out of 26 shots in the loss. 

Prior to that game, the Blue Jackets defeated the Hurricanes by a score of 4-3 but did lose to the Bruins by a score of 4-0 before that. Columbus has won four of their last seven games and they are right in the middle of the Metro standings with 38 points. Columbus has scored 3.31 goals per game and they have allowed 3.62 goals against per game, while also going 21.9% on the power play and 73.9% on the penalty kill this season. Zach Werenski has led Columbus with 12 goals, 31 assists, and 153 shots on goal, while Kirill Marchenko has added 16 goals, 26 assists, and 114 shots on goal. Elvis Merzlikins is 12-10-3 with a 3.15 goals against average and an .888 save percentage this year. 

St. Louis Blues vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction 

Columbus comes into this matchup after a heartbreaking loss to the Red Wings last time out, but they have been great at home, going 12-5-3 on home ice. The Blue Jackets have had issues on defense, as they are allowing 3.62 goals against per game, but St. Louis has been pretty low-scoring. The Blues are scoring just 2.69 goals per game this year, but they are 11-8-3 on the road. I know the Blue Jackets are red hot at home this season, but I like how St. Louis is playing and really like Hofer in net. Take the Blues here.