Columbus Blue Jackets vs Minnesota Wild prediction 1-6-24 NHL Picks

The Minnesota Wild will play the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Minnesota has lost four games in a row, while Columbus has lost two of their last three. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Wild vs Blue Jackets prediction.

Wild Preview

The Minnesota Wild are 16-17-4 this year after they lost to Tampa Bay by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Minnesota allowed the first three goals in this game, but they were able to score late in the third to avoid the shutout. The Wild were out shot by a total of 30-23 and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Minnesota has also lost to Calgary and Winnipeg (twice) during this losing streak. The Wild are scoring 2.95 goals per game and they are allowing 3.19 goals against per game, while going 18% on the power play and 72.7% on the penalty kill. Mats Zuccarello has led Minnesota with six goals, 22 assists, and 74 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Minnesota is Marc-Andre Fleury, who is 6-8-2 this season with a 3.09 goals against average and a .896 save percentage. 

Blue Jackets Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets are 13-19-8 this season after they defeated the Flyers in a shootout by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Columbus trailed 2-0 in the third period, but they were able to force overtime and win the game in a shootout. The Blue Jackets were out shot by a total of 41-28 and went 0-5 on the power play in the game. Columbus lost to Boston by a score of 4-1 and Buffalo by a score of 3-2 in the two games prior to Philadelphia. The Blue Jackets are scoring 3.05 goals per game and they are allowing 3.63 goals against per game, while going 14.5% on the power play and 81.3% on the penalty kill. Johnny Gaudreau has led Columbus with seven goals, 18 assists, and 81 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Columbus is Elvis Merzlikins, who is 7-8-6 this year with a 3.25 goals against average and a .907 save percentage. 

Columbus Blue Jackets Team Facts

The Blue Jackets have lost 12 of their last 13 games following a road win.
The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in 16 of their last 18 games as underdogs against the Wild.
The Blue Jackets have lost the third period in 10 of their last 11 games as underdogs after coming off overtime.
The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in four of the Blue Jackets’ last five games against Central Division opponents.

Minnesota Wild Team Facts

The Wild have won each of their last seven games as favorites.
The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last seven games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
The Wild have won the first period in six of their last seven games as favorites.
The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last four night games at Nationwide Arena.

Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts

Kirill Marchenko has scored a goal in three of the Blue Jackets’ last four home games against Central Division opponents.
Johnny Gaudreau has recorded at least one point in seven of his last eight home appearances against the Wild.
Johnny Gaudreau has recorded at least one assist in four of the Blue Jackets’ last five games at Nationwide Arena.
Damon Severson has recorded two points against the Wild this season – equal-most against any opponent.

Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts

Matthew Boldy has scored a goal in six of the Wild’s last seven games as favorites.
Kirill Kaprizov has scored the last goal in three of his last four appearances in night games.
Kirill Kaprizov has recorded at least one point in each of his last six appearances.
Marcus Johansson has recorded at least one assist in each of the Wild’s last five games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Brock Faber ranks 1st amongst rookies for average time on ice (24:39) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 32nd in the league for Period 3 goals allowed per game this season (1.60).
The Columbus Blue Jackets rank T31st in the league in short handed goals this season (0).
The Minnesota Wild rank 30th in the league for power play goals against this season (35).
The Minnesota Wild rank T4th in the league in penalty minutes this season (444).

Wild vs Blue Jackets Betting Prediction

Minnesota limps into this game dealing with a few injuries and on a four game losing streak, while they are only 6-10-2 on the road this year. Columbus has lost three of their last five games, but four of those games went to overtime/shootout. The Blue Jackets are 8-11-3 at home and they have played pretty well in their last five games. I really don’t like how Minnesota has looked recently and they have scored two goals or fewer in four straight. Take the Blue Jackets here.