Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Vancouver Canucks Prediction, NHL Odds
The Columbus Blue Jackets look to win two in a row on the road for the first time this season when they visit the Vancouver Canucks in Friday NHL action. Currently buried in last place in the NHL league standings, the Blue Jackets escaped Edmonton with a 3-2 win on Wednesday night, and have now claimed victory in two of their past three overall contests. The Canucks return home after suffering a humbling 6-1 loss in Seattle on Wednesday, which marked their 11th defeat in their past 14 games, and the 10th time they have surrendered four or more goals over that stretch.
The Blue Jackets have surged to +150 underdogs since opening as a +165 bet, and enjoy the support of 49% of sports bettors. The Canucks have faded to -181 favourites, and the total remains unchanged since opening at 6.5. However, the OVER has shortened to a -125 wager.
Blue Jackets vs. Canucks NHL Betting Odds
Friday night’s matchup at Rogers Arena marks the second and final meeting of the season between these struggling teams. The Canucks posted a 4-3 win when they visited Columbus on October 18, and have now claimed victory in five of six dates with the Jackets. However, goals have come at a premium for the Canucks when hosting Columbus, with Vancouver shooters potting just five total goals while losing two of their past three home clashes with the Blue Jackets. While the UNDER has gone 2-1 over the past three meetings between these clubs in Vancouver, the OVER has paid out in four of five overall, including each of their past three head-to-head matchups.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Losers in 15 of their previous 18 contests, the Blue Jackets have shown signs of a turnaround while picking up at least a point in three straight games. After averaging a dismal 1.83 goals per game during a dismal 3-15-0 run, the Jackets have mustered 11 total goals during their current 2-0-1 run. Despite their recent success, the Blue Jackets still have plenty of work to do to flip the script on a losing narrative when playing on the road. Even after going 2-1-1 over their past four road dates, Columbus continues to sport an NHL-worst 4-15-2 record away from Nationwide Arena, and have been limited to one or fewer goals on nine occasions. One bright light for the Blue Jackets has been the recent steady play of Boone Jenner, who has scored in each of the past three games after potting just two markers over his previous 15 appearances.
Vancouver Canucks
After welcoming new head coach Rick Tocchet with a 5-2 comeback victory over Chicago on Tuesday, the Canucks reverted to familiar form in Wednesday’s lopsided loss to the Kraken. Indeed, the Canucks were thoroughly outclassed while being outshot by a wide 35-20 margin in Wednesday’s 6-1 defeat, and have now mustered two or fewer goals in four of five outings including three of their past four home dates. With starting goaltender Thatcher Demko still sidelined by injury, the Canucks have also struggled to contain opposing shooters, allowing 4.29 goals per game during their current 3-11-0 swoon. A subject of unrelenting trade speculation, Bo Horvat recorded his 31st goal of the season with an empty net marker against Chicago, but that marks his lone goal on home ice in five outings after scoring eight times over his previous eight home appearances. On a positive note, 26-year-olf rookie forward Andrei Kuzmenko has scored six of the club’s 17 total goals over their past six home contests, but failed to record a shot on goal when the Canucks visited Columnbus earlier this season.
