The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Nashville Predators meet Saturday in NHL action from the Bridgestone Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Nashville Predators prediction.
Columbus Blue Jackets Team Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets come into this game looking to snap a three-game losing skid after a 4-0 loss to Florida last time out. Johnny Gaudreau leads the Blue Jackets with 59 points including a team-high 48 assists while Zach Werenski has 53 points with 44 assists. Kirill Marchenko has 41 points with a team-high 23 goals and Boone Jenner has 22 goals and 35 points. Elvis Merzlikins has gone 13-17-8 in goal for Columbus with a 3.45 GAA and an .897 save percentage while Daniil Tarasov is 8-11-3 with a 3.18 GAA and a .908 save percentage this season.
Columbus Blue Jackets Team Facts
- The Blue Jackets have lost each of their last seven games at Bridgestone Arena.
- The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in each of their last four games against the Predators.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Blue Jackets’ last seven games following a road loss.
- The Blue Jackets have lost the third period in seven of their last eight games following a road loss.
Nashville Predators Team Preview
The Nashville Predators come into this one looking to build on a 5-1 win over Chicago last time out. Filip Forsberg leads the Predators in scoring with 92 points including a team-high 46 goals and 46 assists while Ryan O’Reilly has 67 points with 26 goals of his own and 41 assists. Gustav Nyquist has 72 points with 50 assists while Roman Josi has 81 points of his own with a team-leading 60 assists. Juuse Saros has made 62 starts in goal for Nashville this season, going 34-23-5 with a 2.82 GAA and a .907 save percentage while Kevin Lankinen is 11-6 with a 2.93 GAA and a .908 save percentage this season. The Predators will meet the Penguins after this one.
Nashville Predators Team Facts
- The Predators have won each of their last seven night games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Predators have covered the puck line in each of their last nine night games following a road win.
- The Predators have won the third period in each of their last seven games at Bridgestone Arena following a road win.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Predators’ last 10 games as home favorites against opponents on a losing streak.
Blue Jackets vs. Predators Prediction
I’m on the Preds here. They’re not playing for much here besides pride and trying to lock down the top Wild Card spot and maybe some momentum as well, while Columbus is one of the worst teams in the NHL, especially on the road. Even with little to play for, it’s hard envisioning the Predators not coming out full force to take it to a bad Columbus team here. Give me the Predators.