Columbus Blue Jackets vs Anaheim Ducks Prediction, 2/21/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Anaheim Ducks

Date: Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Location: Honda Center in Anaheim, CA

TV: Bally Sports

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (-110) Ducks (-110)

The Anaheim Ducks (20-33-2) will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets (17-26-10) at Honda Center on Wednesday. The moneyline on this matchup has the Blue Jackets at -110 and the Ducks are opening at -110. The total is 7.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 4-3 victory against the Sharks in their previous game. Columbus had 8 mins in the box in this contest. In addition, they had 3 attempts on the power play but weren't able to score. The Blue Jackets had a good offensive outing in this win. In the game, they earned a goal on 4 of the 41 shots they launched.

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In regard to their scoring capabilities, the Columbus Blue Jackets have racked up 155 goals (25th in pro hockey) for the season and have given up 196. For the season, they have scored 44 points and their points percentage is sitting at .415. Columbus has compiled 153 power play chances and they have scored 22 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a percentage of 14.38%. While at even strength, the Blue Jackets let the opposition score 159 goals while getting 133 on the offensive side of the ice. Columbus has taken 1,591 shots and has a shooting percentage of 9.7%. The Blue Jackets have had 1,765 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .889. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have totaled 155 power play opportunities (25th in pro hockey) and have a total of 37 goals in those chances.

The player in the crease for this game is Elvis Merzlikins. Merzlikins has participated in 180 matchups throughout his NHL career. He has earned a win-loss record of 65-73-29 and he was named the starter in 167 games. The opposition has been able to score 519 goals versus Merzlikins in his pro hockey career and his goals against rate is 3.15. Merzlikins has had 5,500 shots taken against him and has recorded 4,981 total saves. His save percentage is at .906 during his 9,894 mins in the crease. During his career on the ice, Merzlikins has compiled 79 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .473.

In their last game, Anaheim faced the Sabres in a game where the Ducks earned a victory by a score of 4-3. They had 1 power play attempt in this contest but didn't score a goal. The Ducks had 4 goals out of the 15 shots on goal they were seeking.

So far this year, the Anaheim Ducks have earned 142 goals, 42 points, and a points percentage of .382. They have permitted 193 goals to be scored by way of 140 goals at even strength and 53 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Ducks have 109 goals at even strength and 33 goals (20th in professional hockey) while on the power play. They have earned 167 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play percentage of 19.76%. Anaheim has attempted 1,530 shots (28th in the league) and has earned a shooting percentage of 9.28%, while allowing the other team 1,808 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 76.23% on their oppositions 223 power play opportunities, and their save percentage comes in at 89.3%.

For the opposition you are likely to see John Gibson in goal. Gibson holds a career record of 192-198-60 and has participated in 467 games. Gibson's quality start rate comes out to 54.4% and he has accumulated 248 quality starts in his NHL career. He has recorded 13,008 stops out of the 14,273 shots tried, giving him a rate of .911. The opposition is averaging 2.85 goals/game and he has yielded 1,265 goals altogether. He has started in 456 contests and has played 26,653 minutes.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Columbus (-110)

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