Blues vs Blue Jackets Prediction

Columbus Blue Jackets (8-14-5) vs St. Louis Blues (13-11-1)

Game Info: Friday, December 8, 2023 at 7:00 pm (Nationwide Arena)

Betting Odds: Columbus Blue Jackets -152 / St. Louis Blues +121 --- Over/Under: 6.5

The St. Louis Blues and Columbus Blue Jackets face off on Friday in an NHL showdown at Nationwide Arena. Let’s look at the betting matchup and give a free Blues vs Blue Jackets prediction.

How Does the Blues Defense Bounce Back?

The Blues really struggled in the last game against the Vegas Golden Knights giving up six goals and that led to the defeat. The offense did score three goals, but it wasn’t close. The Blues are averaging 2.88 goals while their defense is giving up 3.16 goals per game. The offense is ranked 22nd in the league while the defense is ranked 15th. In this game the defense is going to need to step up in a big way. Robert Thomas has scored eight goals and added 17 assists. 

St. Louis Blues Player Prop Facts

• Jake Neighbours has scored at least one goal in each of the Blues' last three games as favorites.
• Brayden Schenn has recorded at least one point in each of his last seven appearances in night games at Nationwide Arena.
• Justin Faulk has recorded an assist in each of the Blues' last four games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Brayden Schenn has the equal-most multi-goal games for the Blues this season (2).

Blue Jackets Look to End Losing Streak

The Blue Jackets have lost two games in a row and the offense just hasn’t been good enough. The Blue Jackets faced off against the Boston Bruins two games ago and they were defeated 3-1. In the last game against the Los Angeles Kings, they forced overtime, but they ended up losing 4-3. The Blue Jackets are averaging 2.85 goals while their defense is giving up 3.16 goals per game. The offense is ranked 22nd and they need the offense to get going here. Zach Werenski has scored one goal and added 18 assists so far this season. Columbus is at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division with 21 points, four behind the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts

• Zach Werenski has recorded at least one point in seven of his last eight appearances against Central Division opponents.
• Patrik Laine has scored a goal in each of his last four appearances with his team as an underdog against the Blues.
• Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in seven of his last eight appearances against Central Division opponents.
• Boone Jenner has the most multi-goal games for the Blue Jackets this season (2).

Blues vs Blue Jackets Betting Trends

These are two offenses that can’t really be trusted and that is going to continue to be the case again here. The Blues are averaging 2.88 goals while the Blue Jackets are averaging 2.85 goals per game game. Both offenses are going to really struggle to score here, and even though neither of these defenses are exactly elite, they will both step up enough to keep this game under the total. 

The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.