Columbus Blue Jackets vs St. Louis Blues Prediction, 1/31/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs St. Louis Blues

Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026

Location: Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO

TV: Fanduel Sports Network Midwest

The Columbus Blue Jackets (25-20-7) are traveling to Enterprise Center on Saturday where they will go up against the St. Louis Blues (19-25-9).

The Columbus Blue Jackets had a good night with a 5-3 win over the Flyers in their previous contest . Columbus garnered 10 penalty minutes in this contest. The Blue Jackets had a solid offensive performance in the win. In addition, they had 3 power play chances but didn't convert them into a score. In the game, they tallied a score on 5 out of the 31 shots they put on goal.

In terms of their goal scoring prowess, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accumulated 158 goals (19th in pro hockey) on the campaign and have allowed 171. For the current campaign, they have racked up 57 points and their points percentage is .548. Columbus comes into the game with 129 power play opportunities and they have added 25 goals out of those advantages, giving them a rate of 19.38%. When playing at even strength, the Blue Jackets have surrendered 136 goals while notching 133 on offense. Columbus has tried 1,573 shots and is the owner of a shot percentage of 10.0%. The Blue Jackets so far have had 1,592 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .893. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have totaled 147 power play tries (22nd in the NHL) and have come away with 35 goals in those attempts.

The player in the crease for this game is Elvis Merzlikins. The opposition has been able to score 793 goals versus Merzlikins in his professional career and his goals against average is 3.20. Merzlikins has participated in 263 games throughout his NHL career. He has a save percentage of .900 for his 12,976 mins on the ice. He has a win-loss mark of 103-108-36 and he started in 248 games. Throughout his time in hockey, Merzlikins has accrued 118 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .476. Merzlikins has seen 7,944 shot attempts against him and he has 7,151 total saves.

In their last contest, St. Louis played the Stars in a matchup where the Blues took a loss by a mark of 4-3. The Blues recorded 3 goals of the 26 shots on goal they tried. They had 3 power play attempts in this game but weren't able to notch a goal.

So far this season, the St. Louis Blues have accounted for 129 goals, 47 points, as well as a points percentage of .443. They have permitted 180 goals to be scored by way of 143 goals at even strength and 37 goals while they were shorthanded. The Blues have accumulated 105 goals at even strength and 24 goals (29th in the league) while on the power play. They have a total of 142 power play opportunities and they have a power play percentage of 16.90%. St. Louis has attempted 1,313 shots (31st in pro hockey) and has earned a shot percentage of 9.82%, while allowing the other team 1,478 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 73.94% on their opponents 142 power play chances, and their save percentage is 87.8%.

On the other side of the ice you are going to see Joel Hofer patrolling the crease. He has accrued 2,310 saves out of 2,550 shots taken, giving him a save % of .906. Hofer has amassed a career mark of 46-32-8 and has played in 97 games. He has started in 88 games and has been on the ice for 3,721 minutes. Hofer's quality start percentage sits at 55.7% and he has qualified for 49 quality starting assignments in his career. His opponents are averaging 2.73 goals per game and he has relinquished 240 goals altogether.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Columbus

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