Elias Pettersson continues to dazzle in his first NHL campaign, as the Swedish phenom became the sixth rookie in NHL history to record two five-point games in a season thanks to one goal and four assists in Vancouver’s 6-1 triumph over St. Louis on Sunday. Pettersson and the Canucks travel to Ohio tonight to face off with the Columbus Blue Jackets, where sportsbooks opened the Jackets as -220 home favorites with a total of 6.
- The total has gone OVER in three of the Canucks’ last four games vs the Blue Jackets (avg. combined score: 6.5).
- The Blue Jackets are 6-14 ATS in their last 20 games at home.
- The total has gone OVER in five of the Canucks’ last six games on the road (avg. combined score: 6.5).
Canucks vs Blue Jackets Game Center
Blue Jackets are in need of a bounce-back victory
Pettersson, who has 30 points in his first 26 NHL games and eight in his past three, has been a major bright spot in an otherwise inconsistent campaign for the 13-16-3 SU Canucks. Vancouver has won two straight after a brutal 1-10-2 stretch that saw them fall back to the bottom half of the Western Conference. Vancouver has earned at least a point in six straight meetings with the Blue Jackets, going 4-0-2 in that span.
Columbus sits second in the Metropolitan Division despite dropping three of its previous four games. The Blue Jackets’ stunning 9-6 loss to the Calgary Flames last Tuesday was a low point in the campaign for the club, while they followed that up by getting shut out 4-0 by the Washington Capitals on Saturday. The good news for Columbus bettors is the squad plays each of its next five at Nationwide Arena.
Is another OVER in store in this series?
When it comes to totals trends, signs are pointing to an OVER in this one. The OVER has paid out in three of the last four matchups between Vancouver and Columbus with an average combined score of 6.5 goals, while the Canucks have eclipsed the closing total in five of their past six away from home with an average combined score of 6.5 goals.
Betting on the Blue Jackets puckline when they play in their own barn has been a fruitless endeavor of late. In Columbus’ last 20 home games, it’s an ugly 6-14 on the puckline. The Jackets’ -1.5 number can be had for a price of +125 at Sportsbook.
