Minnesota Wild (2-0-2) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (2-2)
October 19, 2024 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Columbus Blue Jackets +155 / Minnesota Wild -185; Over/Under: +6.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets meet Saturday in NHL action at the Nationwide Arena. Here’s a Columbus Blue Jackets vs Minnesota Wild Prediction. This article will include a Columbus Blue Jackets vs Minnesota Wild Pick.
Minnesota Wild Betting Preview
The Minnesota Wild lost to the Jets, beat the Blues, and play the Panthers next. The Minnesota Wild are averaging 3 goals per game and are scoring on 30.8 percent of their power play opportunities. Matt Boldy leads Minnesota with 2 goals, Kirill Kaprizov has 5 assists and Ryan Hartman has 12 shots on goal. Defensively, the Minnesota Wild are allowing 2.25 goals per game and are killing 66.7 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Filip Gustavsson has allowed 5 goals on 96 shots faced, and Marc-Andre Fleury has given up 4 goals on 34 shots.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets lost to the Panthers, beat the Sabres, and play the Maple Leafs next. The Columbus Blue Jackets are averaging 4.25 goals per game and are scoring 27.3 percent of their power play opportunities. Sean Manahan leads Columbus with 2 goals, Yegor Chinakhov has 4 assists and Zach Werenski has 20 shots on goal. Defensively, the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowing 3.75 goals per game and are killing 75 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Daniil Tarasov has allowed 8 goals on 54 shots faced, and Elvis Merzlikins has given up 7 goals on 48 shots.
Why the Minnesota Wild will win
- The Blue Jackets have lost 12 of their last 13 games following a home win.
- The Wild have won five of their last six games against the Blue Jackets.
- The road team has covered the puck line in each of the Wild’s last seven games.
- The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last seven night games at Nationwide Arena following a home win.
- The Wild have won the third period in each of their last six games as road favorites.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Kirill Marchenko has recorded an assist in five of the Blue Jackets’ last six home games.
- Sean Monahan has recorded at least one point in each of his last eight Saturday appearances against Central Division opponents.
Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts
- Kirill Kaprizov has recorded at least one point in each of the Wild’s last 16 games as favorites.
- Kirill Kaprizov has scored at least one goal in five of the Wild’s last six games as road favorites.
- Brock Faber has recorded at least one assist in each of the Wild’s last six road games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 4th in the league for goals per game this season (4.25).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank T1st in the league in short-handed goals allowed this season (0).
- The Minnesota Wild rank 29th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (66.67%).
- The Minnesota Wild rank T6th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.25).
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Minnesota Wild Prediction
The over is worth consideration with the Wild and Blue Jackets off to a strong start offensively, but I’m going to side with the Wild and lay the PL for max betting value. The Wild have been far and away more trustworthy defensively, and they’ve won 8 of the last 10 games against the Blue Jackets. Of course, one of those wins came a little over a week ago. The Blue Jackets have allowed 4 goals in each of their last 3 games, and that’s not ideal against a team like the Wild. Give me the road team.
