Nashville Predators vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 3/9/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Nashville Predators vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Saturday, March 9, 2024

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Bally Sports Ohio

Odds/Point Spread: Predators (-165) Blue Jackets (+135)

Nationwide Arena is the site where the Columbus Blue Jackets (22-31-10) will try to defeat the Nashville Predators (36-25-3) on Saturday. The moneyline on this matchup has Nashville at -165 and Columbus is opening at +135. The over/under has been set at 7.

The Nashville Predators had a good night with a 4-2 victory over the Sabres in their previous contest . Nashville amassed 6 minutes in the box in this game. Furthermore, they had 3 opportunities with more players on the ice and were able to score 2 goals. The Predators had a solid offensive outing in this victory. In the outing, they netted 4 of the 24 shots they attempted.

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Nashville Predators opponents have earned 198 power play opportunities (13th in pro hockey) and have a total of 46 goals in those attempts. The Predators have seen 1,938 shots attempted against them and have a save percentage of .899. Nashville has tried 1,985 shots and holds a shot percentage of 10.3%. At even strength, the Predators have surrendered 150 goals while notching 160 of their own. Nashville has tallied 218 power play chances and they have notched 44 goals out of those attempts, earning them a percentage of 20.18%. For the current campaign, they have tallied 75 points and their points percentage is sitting at .586. In regard to scoring goals, the Nashville Predators have notched 204 goals (13th in the league) for the season and have given up 196.

The player in the crease for this game is Juuse Saros. Saros has been in goal for 337 contests over the course of his pro hockey career. He has earned an overall record of 174-116-30 and he has gotten the start in 320 games. Opponents have racked up 840 goals versus Saros in his career and his goals against rate is 2.61. Saros has seen 10,195 shots taken against him and has accrued 9,355 total saves. His save percentage currently is .918 in his 19,284 minutes played. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Saros has earned 195 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .609.

In their last contest, Columbus faced the Oilers in a game where the Blue Jackets ended up with the victory by a tally of 4-2. They had 1 power play chance in this matchup but weren't able to notch a goal. The Blue Jackets had 4 goals of the 34 shots on goal they attempted.

On the season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have a total of 189 goals, 54 points, and a points percentage of .429. They have granted a total of 229 goals to be scored by of a combination of 186 goals at even strength and 43 goals while they were shorthanded. The Blue Jackets have scored 164 goals at even strength and 25 goals (32nd in the league) while on the power play. They have a total of 174 opportunities on the power play and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 14.37%. Columbus has attempted 1,904 shots (18th in the NHL) and has earned a shooting percentage of 9.93%, while allowing their opponents 2,100 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 76.24% on their opponents 181 power play opportunities, and their save percentage sits at 89.1%.

Across the ice you are going to see Elvis Merzlikins protecting the goal. He has recorded 5,101 saves out of the 5,633 shots taken, giving him a save % of .906. Merzlikins has earned a career mark of 67-75-29 and has participated in 185 contests. He has been a starter 171 contests and his ice time sits at 10,136 minutes. Merzlikins' rate of quality starts comes out to 48.5% and he has qualified for 83 quality starts in his career. His opposition is averaging 3.15 goals per contest and he has surrendered 532 goals overall.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Columbus (+135)

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