St. Louis Blues at Columbus Blue Jackets odds, picks and predictions
The St. Louis Blues (13-11-1) take on the Columbus Blue Jackets (8-15-5) Friday at Nationwide Arena. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Blues vs. Blue Jacketsodds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Blues split a home-and-home with the Vegas Golden Knights this week, beating the champs 2-1 in overtime Monday, but falling 6-3 at home on Wednesday. The Blues were up 3-1 after 1 period, and the wheels just fell off as VGK went 2-for-8 on the power play, which wore the Blues down and allowed the Knights to score 5 straight. The Blues have traded wins and losses over the last 8 games.
The Blue Jackets dropped their 3rd straight Thursday night with a 7-3 pummeling at the hands of the New York Islanders. Now they must face a fiery Blues club just 24 hours later. The Jackets also had to put starting G Elvis Merzlikins on IR with an illness and recall Friday's likely starter Jet Greaves from the AHL.
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Blues at Blue Jackets odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:31 a.m. ET.
Blues at Blue Jackets projected goalies
Jordan Binnington (8-7-1, 2.99 GAA, .912 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Jet Greaves (0-1-0, 3.05 GAA, .939 SV% in 1 start last year)
Binnington had arguably his best game since the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals Monday in the 2-1 win over Vegas. He stopped 33 of 34 shots and 43 of 48 in the 6-3 loss Wednesday. He has 30+ saves in 5 straight starts and has really been the team's best player as they continue through their retool.
The 22-year-old Greaves is 9-3-0 with a 3.09 GAA and .899 SV% with the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL. His lone NHL start came last season against the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 4-2 loss. He made 46 saves on 49 shots, so this shouldn't be considered a "gimme" for the Blues.
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Blues at Blue Jackets picks and predictions
Prediction
Blues 4, Blue Jackets 3
The Blues won both meetings last year by identical 5-2 tallies. They are also 5-0-0 against the Eastern Conference this season. Another stat oddity, the Blues are 12-0-0 when they score 1st, which means they're 1-10-1 when they do not. St. Louis scores 1st and takes this game.
Take the BLUES -140.
There's no good play here on the puck line. I do see a prop that stands out, though. C Kevin Hayes has warmed up after RW Jordan Kyrou was shifted to his line Nov. 26. Hayes has 3 goals and 1 assist in 6 games since Kyrou joined his line.
Take KEVIN HAYES OVER 0.5 POINTS (+120) for some decent value.
The Over was -105 earlier Friday morning, but some action has come in onto it as the goalie situation comes to the forefront. The Blues are 4-6 O/U over the last 10, and the Jackets are 4-5-1. So this isn't a slam dunk. The Over has cashed in 4 straight matchups. So there is considerable momentum toward the Over, but go easy. Take the OVER 6.5 (-110).
