Vancouver Canucks vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 1/15/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Vancouver Canucks vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Fanduel Sports Network

Nationwide Arena is the location where the Columbus Blue Jackets (20-19-7) will take on the Vancouver Canucks (16-25-5) on Thursday.

The Vancouver Canucks will look to clean up some issues after taking a 2-1 defeat to the Senators in their previous game. The Canucks didn't have a great showing offensively in this loss. While out there on the ice, they scored on 1 of the 20 shots they looked to score on. Additionally, they had 1 power play opportunity but weren't able to notch a goal. Vancouver accounted for 4 penalty mins for this game.

Vancouver Canucks opponents have recorded 145 power play tries (10th in professional hockey) and have come away with 39 goals in those attempts. The Canucks thus far have had 1,364 shots attempted against them and hold a save percentage of .879. Vancouver has taken 1,229 shots and has a shot percentage of 9.9%. At even strength, the Canucks have allowed the opponent to score 126 goals while having 91 when they are on offense. Vancouver has accounted for 153 power play opportunities and they have notched 30 goals out of those tries, garnering them a percentage of 19.61%. For the current season, they sit with 37 points and their points percentage comes in at .402. In regard to scoring goals, the Vancouver Canucks have notched 121 goals (27th in pro hockey) on the campaign and have surrendered 165.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Kevin Lankinen. In his career, Lankinen has recorded 89 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .520. His save percentage currently is at .902 during his 8,694 mins between the pipes. Lankinen has had 5,368 shot attempts against him and has recorded 4,842 saves. The opposition has scored 526 goals against Lankinen in his NHL career and his average for goals against per game is 3.08. He has earned a mark of 76-70-26 and he started in 171 games. Lankinen has taken the ice for 186 games over the course of his hockey career.

Their last time out, Columbus opposed the Flames in a game where the Blue Jackets notched a win by a final of 5-3. They had 4 power play opportunities in this contest and converted 1 out of those chances. The Blue Jackets had 5 goals out of the 43 shots on goal they were seeking.

The Blue Jackets have accumulated 114 goals at even strength and 22 goals (25th in hockey) while on the power play. Columbus has attempted 1,406 shots (3rd in hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 9.67%, while allowing their opponents 1,423 shots. So far this season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have tallied 136 goals, 47 points, in addition to a points percentage of .511. They have allowed 155 goals to be scored by way of 122 goals at even strength and 33 goals while they were shorthanded. They have a tally of 116 power play chances and they have a power play rate of 18.97%. They have a penalty kill percentage of 74.62% on their opponents 130 tries on the power play, and their save percentage comes in at 89.1%.

On the other side of the ice you are likely to see Elvis Merzlikins in net. He has compiled 7,063 saves out of 7,847 shots attempted against him, giving him a save percentage of .900. Merzlikins holds a career record of 100-107-36 and has played in 259 games. He was named a starter in 244 contests and has played 12,968 mins. Merzlikins' quality start percentage sits at 47.5% and he has earned 116 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. His opposition is averaging 3.21 goals per game and he has conceded 784 goals overall.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Columbus

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