The Columbus Blue Jackets and Anaheim Ducks meet Sunday in NHL action at the Honda Center. Here’s an Anaheim Ducks vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction. This article will include an Anaheim Ducks vs Columbus Blue Jackets Pick.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets lost to the Sharks and Kings, and they play the Kraken, Penguins, and Canadians next. The Columbus Blue Jackets are averaging 3.23 goals per game and are scoring 17.1 percent of their power play opportunities. Sean Manahan leads Columbus with 6 goals, Kirill Marchenko has 8 assists and Zach Werenski has 47 shots on goal. Defensively, the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowing 3.46 goals per game and are killing 81.6 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Daniil Tarasov has allowed 24 goals on 171 shots faced, and Elvis Merzlikins has given up 20 goals on 199 shots.
Anaheim Ducks Betting Preview
The Anaheim Ducks lost to the Canucks and Wild, and they play the Golden Knights, Red Wings and Stars next. The Anaheim Ducks are averaging 2.08 goals per game and are scoring 13 percent of their power play opportunities. Troy Terry leads Anaheim with 5 goals, Mason McTavish has 6 assists and Frank Vatrano has 37 shots on goal. Defensively, the Anaheim Ducks are allowing 3.15 goals per game and are killing 72.2 percent of their opponent’s power plays. James Reimer has given up 9 goals on 66 shots faced, while Lukas Dostal has allowed 30 goals on 386 shots.
Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win
- The Ducks have lost each of their last 14 Sunday games.
- The Blue Jackets have won each of their last three games as underdogs against opponents on a losing streak.
- The road team has covered the puck line in each of the Ducks’ last five games.
- The Ducks have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last seven games as home favorites against opponents on a losing streak.
- The road team has won the first period in each of the Ducks’ last six games.
Anaheim Ducks Player Prop Facts
- Troy Terry has recorded at least one assist in four of the Ducks’ last five games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Alex Killorn has scored at least one goal in four of his last five appearances with his team as a favorite against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Alex Killorn has recorded at least one point in each of his last six appearances with his team as a favorite against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Kent Johnson has recorded at least one point in each of his last four appearances with the Blue Jackets as underdogs.
- Adam Fantilli has recorded an assist in each of the Blue Jackets’ last three games as road underdogs.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Anaheim Ducks rank 32nd in the league for goals per game this season (2.08).
- The Anaheim Ducks rank T28th in the league in power play percentage this season (13.04%).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 26th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.46).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 29th in the league in penalty minutes this season (91).
Anaheim Ducks vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction
I can understand why the Anaheim Ducks are favored at home, but I’m not backing them in the favorite role. The Ducks aren’t a good team, and they’ve lost 4 straight games thanks to an offense that can string together anything. The Columbus Blue Jackets have been arguably the better team this season and while they’ve had issues on the road, there’s still value with them as the underdog. These are two below-average teams. If forced to pick a side I want some bang for my buck. So, Columbus Blue Jackets it is.