Colorado Avalanche vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 4/3/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Colorado Avalanche vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Thursday, April 3, 2025

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: NBC4 WCMH-TV

Odds/Point Spread: Avalanche (-196) Blue Jackets (+162)

The Colorado Avalanche (45-26-4) are headed to Nationwide Arena on Thursday where they will try to beat the Columbus Blue Jackets (34-30-9). The odds on this game have Colorado at -196 while Columbus is opening at +162. The total is 6.

The Colorado Avalanche had a decent effort after finishing in a 2-2 tie against the Flames in their previous game. Colorado had 2 minutes in the box in this contest. They also had 2 power play tries but weren't able to convert one of them into a goal. The Avalanche had a below average offensive performance in this game. In the matchup, they converted 2 out of the 30 shots they put on net.

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Colorado Avalanche opponents have 187 power play opportunities (23rd in pro hockey) and have racked up 39 goals in those chances. The Avalanche have seen 1,946 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .893. Colorado has taken 2,230 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 11.2%. At even strength, the Avalanche have conceded 169 goals while notching 195 on the offensive side of the ice. Colorado is sitting with 213 power play chances and they have notched 54 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a percentage of 25.35%. For the current campaign, they have tallied 94 points and their points percentage is .627. Concerning their scoring capabilities, the Colorado Avalanche have tallied 249 goals (6th in the league) this season and have allowed 208.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Scott Wedgewood. Wedgewood has been in net for 151 games during his hockey career. He has amassed an overall record of 59-54-24 and he started in 133 games. The opposition has scored 407 goals versus Wedgewood in his pro hockey career and his average for goals against per game is 3.35. Wedgewood has had 4,339 shot attempts against him and has gathered 3,932 saves. His save percentage is at .906 for his 7,294 mins played. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Wedgewood has accounted for 64 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .481.

In their last contest, Columbus went up against the Predators in an outing where the Blue Jackets notched a win by a mark of 8-4. They had 5 power play chances in this matchup and recorded 2 out of those opportunities. The Blue Jackets netted 8 goals of the 37 shots on goal they were seeking.

On the campaign, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accumulated 236 goals, 77 points, as well as a points percentage of .527. They have permitted 245 goals to be scored by of a combination of 197 goals at even strength and 48 goals while they were shorthanded. The Blue Jackets have accumulated 203 goals at even strength and 33 goals (27th in professional hockey) while having a power play advantage. They have recorded 171 power play chances and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 19.30%. Columbus has put up 2,122 shots (12th in hockey) and has earned a shot percentage of 11.12%, while allowing the other team 2,169 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 75.76% on their opponents 198 chances on the power play, and their save percentage is 88.7%.

For the opposition you are likely to see Elvis Merzlikins patrolling the crease. He has recorded 6,552 saves out of the 7,263 shots taken, giving him a save percentage of .902. Merzlikins is the owner of a lifetime mark of 93-98-35 and has participated in 240 games. He has started in 226 games and has played for a total of 10,573 mins. Merzlikins' rate of quality starts is 48.2% and he has 109 quality starting assignments in his professional career. His opponents are averaging 4.03 goals/game and he has relinquished 711 goals altogether.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Colorado (-196)

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