The Columbus Blue Jackets will roll into New Jersey to face the Devils tonight in a rematch for top spot in the Metropolitan Division. The Jackets lost at home to the Devils on Tuesday 4-1 but have kept chugging along into a prime position in the Eastern Conference. The Devils are 16-11 SU this season and have been one of the biggest surprises of the NHL. New Jersey opened as a home dog to get the W at the Prudential Center.
- The total has gone UNDER in three of the last four games in this matchup.
- The Blue Jackets are 1-9 SU in their last 10 games against their division on the road.
- The Devils are 1-4 SU in their last five games after a win.
Columbus’ defensive efforts this season cannot be overlooked in this matchup. The Blue Jackets rank third in the NHL in goals allowed (2.4 per game) and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is gunning for another Vezina Trophy. The Russian netminder ranks fifth in GAA and eighth in save percentage this year. And it’s translated to wins as the Jackets are 8-3 SU in their last 11 games and have had great success vs the Devils in their last 10 games at 7-3 SU. Columbus’ moneyline opened at -130 and it wouldn’t be a bad idea to back them in this one.
The Devils, on the other hand, are scoring a ton of goals this year which has carried them to the top of their division. They rank ninth in goals per game (3.25 goals per game) and are killing it on the power play, converting just under 23 percent of their chances with the man advantage. And it’s a group effort as only one Devil has more than 10 goals this season (Brian Gibbons). Where they’ve fallen short is at home where they’ve had mixed results, going 6-6 SU and 2-10 ATS.
The total opened at 5.5 and bettors may want to consider the UNDER. As mentioned, the Columbus defense is no joke but its power play might be. The Blue Jackets have only converted eight percent of their power-play opportunities, ranking dead last in the league. The UNDER has also hit in four of the last six games in this matchup.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs New Jersey Devils Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Columbus Blue Jackets will try to spoil the party on Friday; they are 17-10-1 this season, while the Devils are 16-7-4. Columbus is 12-16 on the totals; New Jersey is 13-13-1. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and New Jersey vs Columbus injuries news.
This game puts the Devils, most recently No. 17 in the OddsShark NHL Power Rankings, up against the Blue Jackets, who rate a No. 25 in the latest survey.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits New Jersey's No. 9-ranked offense, averaging 3.25 goals per game, against a Blue Jackets defense that ranks No. 3 at 2.4 goals allowed. The Devils power play is averaging 22.97% while the Blue Jackets defense kills off 83.87% of their penalties.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
- Columbus is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Columbus's last 13 games
- Columbus is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Columbus's last 5 games on the road
- New Jersey is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New Jersey's last 7 games
- New Jersey is 1-10 ATS in its last 11 games at home
- New Jersey is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Columbus home to Arizona, Saturday, December 9
New Jersey at New York, Saturday, December 9
