The Columbus Blue Jackets are continuing their push to the top of the Eastern Conference standings as they face off vs the Boston Bruins tonight. The Jackets are coming off a loss to the Hurricanes on Saturday and have been a mixed bag in road games at 5-5 SU in their last 10. Columbus opened as a +116 road dog to get a win at the TD Garden.
- The total has gone OVER in five straight games in this matchup.
- The Bruins are 6-2 SU in their last eight games against the Eastern Conference.
- The Blue Jackets are 19-4 SU in their last 23 games in December.
Boston also hit a bit of a speed bump and is coming off back-to-back losses at home to Eastern Conference rivals the Capitals and Rangers. Favored in both of those games, the Bruins have been frustrating for bettors as they’re 10-10 SU as the favorite. If they plan to snap the losing streak, it will need to be as a result of their defense, which is ranked 11th in goals allowed per game (2.80).
Columbus’ defense has also been its calling card, holding teams to 2.58 goals per game and being backstopped by an all-world goaltender in Sergei Bobrovsky. The Russian netminder is making a case for another Vezina Trophy with his goals-against average ranked at sixth and save percentage ranked seventh. Where the Jackets fall short is on offense as they rank 21st in goals scored per game and are the only current playoff team that ranks in the bottom 10 in scoring.
The total opened at 5.5 and bettors may want to consider the UNDER. As mentioned, both of these teams struggle to score and their bread and butter is on the defensive end. Expect a snooze-fest in this one.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
If you're backing the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets in this one, they were listed earlier today as underdogs of +113 at most sportsbooks, including Sportsbook. Those OVER/UNDER total betting saw the number open in the area of 5.5, depending on the book.
Prediction-scoring formulas run on this game pick a potential 3.3-2.4 result in favor of the Bruins. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Boston Bruins Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Boston Bruins bring a 15-10-5 record to the battle against the 20-12-1 Blue Jackets. OVER/UNDER bettors have seen Boston go 14-16 so far and the Blue Jackets go 15-18. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Boston vs Columbus injuries news.
The Bruins sit at No. 14 in the current NHL power poll here at OddsShark, while the Blue Jackets sit at No. 28 on the same chart.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Boston Bruins' No. 19-ranked offense (2.87 goals per game) against a Columbus Blue Jackets defense that ranks No. 5 at 2.61 goals per game allowed. The Bruins power play has clicked at a 19.8% rate while the Blue Jackets have a 83.91% rate on the penalty kill.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
In their last action, Columbus was a 2-1 loser on the road against the Hurricanes. Bettors on Carolina at +104 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (3) sent UNDER bettors home happy as well.
Last time out for Boston, they were a 3-2 loser as they battled the Rangers at home. Moneyline bettors who got the Rangers at +153 were rewarded, while the 5 combined goals moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.
- Columbus is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
- Columbus is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Columbus's last 18 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Columbus's last 7 games on the road
- Boston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
- Boston is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games
- Boston is 5-17 ATS in its last 22 games at home
- Boston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Columbus
Next Betting Matchups
Columbus home to Toronto, Wednesday, December 20
Boston at Buffalo, Tuesday, December 19
