Vancouver Canucks vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 3/28/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Vancouver Canucks vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Friday, March 28, 2025

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: NBC4 WCMH-TV

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

Nationwide Arena is the site where the Columbus Blue Jackets (32-29-9) will go up against the Vancouver Canucks (34-26-12) on Friday. The moneyline on this contest has the Canucks at -196 while the Blue Jackets are priced at +162. The over/under is set at 6.

The Vancouver Canucks were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 5-2 win over the Islanders in their previous contest . Vancouver amassed 6 penalty minutes in this matchup. Furthermore, they had 1 chance with the advantage but weren't able to net one. The Canucks had a solid offensive output in the victory. In the game, they earned a goal on 5 out of the 25 shots they put on goal.

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When at even strength, the Canucks have conceded 184 goals while scoring 160 on offense. Vancouver Canucks opponents have amassed 196 power play tries (18th in pro hockey) and have earned 34 goals in those chances. Pertaining to their goal scoring prowess, the Vancouver Canucks have earned 203 goals (20th in the National Hockey League) this season and have surrendered 218. Vancouver has taken 1,832 shots and holds a shot percentage of 11.1%. For the year, they have tallied 80 points and their points percentage is .556. The Canucks so far have had 1,907 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .886. Vancouver comes into tonight with 196 power play opportunities and they have notched 43 goals out of those attempts, giving them a rate of 21.94%.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Thatcher Demko. In his professional hockey career, Demko is sitting with 131 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .565. He has a save percentage of .911 in his 12,850 mins played. Demko has seen 7,233 shot attempts against him and has gathered 6,587 saves. The opposition has racked up 646 goals against Demko in his NHL career and his goals against average per game is 3.02. He has compiled a mark of 124-87-20 and he started in 232 games. Demko has played in 238 games throughout his pro hockey career.

Their last time out, Columbus squared up with the Islanders in a matchup where the Blue Jackets got the tie by a final score of 3-3. They had 1 attempt on the power play in this game but didn't score a goal. The Blue Jackets recorded 3 goals of the 30 shots on goal they pursued.

The Blue Jackets have earned 190 goals at even strength and 30 goals (28th in the league) while on the power play. Columbus has put up 2,017 shots (16th in the NHL) and has earned a shooting percentage of 10.91%, while allowing the opposition 2,077 shots. On the season, the Columbus Blue Jackets are sitting with 220 goals, 73 points, and a points percentage of .521. They have permitted 232 goals to be scored by way of 186 goals at even strength and 46 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have a total of 161 power play opportunities and they have a power play percentage of 18.63%. They have accumulated a penalty kill percentage of 75.79% on the other teams 190 power play chances, and their save percentage sits at 88.8%.

On the other side of the ice you will find Elvis Merzlikins in goal. The opposition is averaging 3.98 goals per game and he has allowed 701 goals altogether. Merzlikins' quality start rate comes out to 48.2% and he has accumulated 108 quality starting assignments in his career. He has started in 224 games and his ice time sits at 10,568 mins. Merzlikins has compiled a lifetime record of 91-98-35 and has played in 238 games. He has racked up 6,497 saves out of the 7,198 shots attempted, giving him a percentage of .903.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Columbus (+162)

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