Columbus Blue Jackets vs New Jersey Devils Prediction, 12/27/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs New Jersey Devils

Date: Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Location: Prudential Center in Newark, NJ

TV: MSG+

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+200) Devils (-250)

Prudential Center is the location where the New Jersey Devils (17-13-2) will try to defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets (11-18-6) on Wednesday. The line on this matchup has the Blue Jackets at +200 while the Devils are at -250. The over/under is set at 7.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will need a bounce back game after taking a 4-1 loss against the Maple Leafs in their previous contest . Columbus compiled 8 penalty minutes in this contest. The Blue Jackets had a rough night on the offensive side of the ice in the loss. In addition, they had 4 chances with the advantage but weren't able to net one. In the game, they finished 1 of the 28 shots they attempted.

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While playing at even strength, the Blue Jackets have surrendered 109 goals while having 93 on offense. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have totaled 97 power play tries (29th in the league) and have racked up 18 goals in those chances. When talking about their scoring, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accounted for 108 goals (11th in the league) so far this year and have conceded 127. Columbus has taken 1,043 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 10.4%. For the current campaign, the have a total of 28 points and their points percentage is sitting at .400. The Blue Jackets thus far have had 1,196 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .894. Columbus has tallied 98 power play opportunities and they have notched 15 goals during those advantages, giving them a percentage of 15.31%.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Elvis Merzlikins. Opponents have tallied 491 goals against Merzlikins in his pro hockey career and his average for goals against per game is 3.14. Merzlikins has taken the ice for 171 games over the course of his hockey career. His save percentage currently is at .906 in his 9,386 minutes played. He has compiled a record of 62-70-27 and he was named the starter in 158 games. Throughout his time in hockey, Merzlikins has accrued 77 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is at .487. Merzlikins has seen 5,242 shot attempts against him and has recorded 4,751 saves.

In their last contest, New Jersey squared up with the Red Wings in a game where the Devils earned a victory by a score of 3-2. The Devils netted 3 goals of the 36 shots on goal they pursued. They had 4 opportunities on the power play in this game but didn't put one in the back of the net.

New Jersey has tried 1,014 shots (15th in pro hockey) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 10.75%, while allowing the opposition 938 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 77.67% on their opponents 103 chances on the power play, and their save percentage comes in at 87.8%. They have a tally of 100 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play percentage of 30.00%. The Devils have tallied 79 goals at even strength and 30 goals (5th in hockey) while on the power play. They have permitted 114 goals to be scored by of a combination of 91 goals at even strength and 23 goals while they were shorthanded. So far this year, the New Jersey Devils have earned a total of 109 goals, 36 points, in addition to a points percentage of .563.

Across the rink you are likely to see Vitek Vanecek in the crease. His opponents are averaging 2.68 goals per contest and he has conceded 380 goals altogether. Vanecek's quality start rate comes out to 53.5% and he has accumulated 76 quality starts in his pro hockey career. He has started in 142 games and has been on the ice for 8,500 minutes. Vanecek holds a career mark of 86-39-15 and has participated in 152 contests. He has gathered 3,646 stops out of 4,026 shots taken against him, giving him a rate of .906.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Columbus (+200)

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Additional Resources:
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