Cam Atkinson is getting hot at the right time. After struggling for most of the season, he's riding a six-game points streak as the Blue Jackets visit the Canucks.
A hot stretch has the Columbus Blue Jackets thinking home-ice advantage in the opening round of the Eastern Conference playoffs – but they still have work to do as they visit the Vancouver Canucks in a Saturday matinee.
The Blue Jackets have won 12 of 13 to trail the second-place Pittsburgh Penguins by a single point with four games remaining, and would love to wrap up a perfect trek through Western Canada following routs of Edmonton and Calgary.
Blue Jackets vs. Canucks Betting Analysis
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 30 Mar 8:18pm | CLB | -1.5 +130 | U +5.5 -130 |
| Closing 31 Mar 8:42pm | CLB | -1.5 +125 | O +5.5 -120 |
The Blue Jackets are a clear favourite in this one after demolishing the Oilers and the Flames earlier in the week, trouncing Edmonton 7-3 before waltzing to a 5-1 triumph over Calgary. Columbus has reeled off six consecutive road victories overall and are a perfect 7-0 in their past seven games against sub-.500 teams. The Canucks have won just 15 of their previous 53 home games and have dropped 25 of their last 35 contests vs. the Metropolitan Division.
Columbus hasn’t only been an automatic win – it has also been a tremendous over option, having gone above the total in each of its previous eight road games. The Blue Jackets are also 5-1 O/U in their last six games vs. the Pacific Division. Vancouver has converted the under in each of its previous four games, and is 0-5 O/U in its last five following a win. But the Canucks have been a great over play at home, going 18-6 O/U in its past 24 games at Rogers Arena.
The Blue Jackets opened as big favourite in a busy night of NHL matchups.
Columbus Blue Jackets
It took a very long time for the Blue Jackets to find their offensive form, but they’ve done so with emphasis in March; they entered Friday averaging a league-best 3.93 goals per game, more than a goal higher than their current season average (2.83). Columbus will need to keep the offence rolling if it hopes to reverse an ugly trend that has seen the Blue Jackets prevail in just six of their previous 23 head-to-head showdowns with the Canucks.
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Blue Jackets Team Leaders
| Points |
82 |
| + / - |
23 |
| Shots |
249 |
| Penalty Mins |
50 |
| Wins |
37 |
| GAA |
2.42 |
| Points |
55 |
| + / - |
8 |
| Shots |
189 |
| Penalty Mins |
74 |
| Wins |
23 |
| GAA |
2.71 |
| Points |
7 |
| + / - |
4 |
| Shots |
25 |
| Penalty Mins |
21 |
| Wins |
2 |
| GAA |
3.18 |
| Points | |
| + / - | |
| Shots | Did not qualify |
| Penalty Mins | |
| Wins | |
| GAA |
Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks have struggled in multiple areas this season – particularly after losing rookie sensation Brook Boeser to a season-ending injury at the beginning of March – but they retain one of the most potent power plays in the NHL. Vancouver entered Friday’s action ranked 10th in the league with a 21.5-percent success rate and have actually been slightly better in March (22.6 percent) despite losing their top goal-scorer in Boeser.
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Canucks Team Leaders
| Points |
82 |
| + / - |
23 |
| Shots |
249 |
| Penalty Mins |
50 |
| Wins |
37 |
| GAA |
2.42 |
| Points |
55 |
| + / - |
8 |
| Shots |
189 |
| Penalty Mins |
74 |
| Wins |
23 |
| GAA |
2.71 |
| Points |
7 |
| + / - |
4 |
| Shots |
25 |
| Penalty Mins |
21 |
| Wins |
2 |
| GAA |
3.18 |
| Points | |
| + / - | |
| Shots | Did not qualify |
| Penalty Mins | |
| Wins | |
| GAA |
Injuries
Alexander Wennberg (C)
Cam Atkinson (RW)
Ryan Murray (D)
Artemi Panarin (LW)
Markus Nutivaara (D)
Dean Kukan (D)
Brandon Dubinsky (C)
David Savard (D)
Nick Foligno (LW)
Jack Johnson (D)
Reid Boucher (C)
Scottie Upshall (RW)
Anders Nilsson (G)
Christopher Tanev (D)
Brendan Leipsic (LW)
Ben Hutton (D)
Erik Gudbranson (D)
Jacob Markstrom (G)
Sven Baertschi (LW)
Philip Holm (D)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Wennberg (C) | Ques Mon | Upper Body - 12 / 04 / 18 | 3-3 | 4-2 | + - |
|
Wennberg suffered an injury to his upper body and it is unclear if he will be available against the Capitals for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference First Round. |
|||||
| Cam Atkinson (RW) | Out Sat | Rest - 07 / 04 / 18 | 3-4 | 5-2 | + - |
|
Atkinson will receive a day of rest against the Predators for Saturday's contest. |
|||||
| Ryan Murray (D) | Out Sat | Rest - 07 / 04 / 18 | 3-4 | 5-2 | + - |
|
Murray will not be in the lineup against the Predators for Saturday's contest and will be given the day off to rest. |
|||||
| Artemi Panarin (LW) | Out Sat | Rest - 07 / 04 / 18 | 3-4 | 5-2 | + - |
|
Panarin will rest against the Predators for Saturday's matchup. |
|||||
| Markus Nutivaara (D) | Prob Thurs | Illness - 02 / 04 / 18 | 3-6 | 7-2 | + - |
|
Nutivaara is ailing from an illness but is likely to return for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Capitals. |
|||||
| Dean Kukan (D) | Ques Tues | Upper Body - 30 / 03 / 18 | 5-6 | 9-2 | + - |
|
Kukan is battling an upper-body injury and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Red Wings on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Brandon Dubinsky (C) | Prob Sat | Illness - 29 / 03 / 18 | 5-6 | 9-2 | + - |
|
Dubinsky left the last game due to an illness but is expected to be available for Saturday's tilt against the Canucks. |
|||||
| David Savard (D) | Prob Tues | Illness - 27 / 03 / 18 | 5-7 | 9-3 | + - |
|
Savard is expected to be in Tuesday's lineup against the Oilers despite an illness. |
|||||
| Nick Foligno (LW) | Prob Thurs | Lower Body - 26 / 03 / 18 | 5-7 | 9-3 | + - |
|
Foligno has been sidelined with a lower-body injury but is expected to be ready for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Capitals. |
|||||
| Jack Johnson (D) | Prob Tues | Upper Body - 23 / 03 / 18 | 6-7 | 9-4 | + - |
|
Johnson has sat out the previous four games with an upper-body injury but is expected to play against the Red Wings on Tuesday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reid Boucher (C) | out for season | Hand - 02 / 04 / 18 | 3-0 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Boucher is likely to miss the remainder of the season due to a broken hand. |
|||||
| Scottie Upshall (RW) | out for season | Kidney - 01 / 04 / 18 | 3-0 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Upshall is likely to miss the remainder of the season due to a lacerated kidney. |
|||||
| Anders Nilsson (G) | Ques Tues | Illness - 31 / 03 / 18 | 4-0 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Nilsson is battling an illness and it is unclear if he will suit up Tuesday against the Golden Knights. |
|||||
| Christopher Tanev (D) | out for season | Knee - 25 / 03 / 18 | 6-1 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Tanev has a knee injury and will miss the remainder of the season. |
|||||
| Brendan Leipsic (LW) | Prob Tues | Upper Body - 24 / 03 / 18 | 6-1 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Leipsic is sidelined with an upper-body injury but is likely to return to the lineup Tuesday against the Golden Knights. |
|||||
| Ben Hutton (D) | Mid April | Foot - 17 / 03 / 18 | 7-4 | 5-6 | + - |
|
Hutton is sidelined with a foot infection but is lining up to return sometime before the end of the regular season. |
|||||
| Erik Gudbranson (D) | out for season | Shoulder - 14 / 03 / 18 | 7-5 | 5-7 | + - |
|
Gudbranson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. |
|||||
| Jacob Markstrom (G) | Ques Fri | Illness - 08 / 03 / 18 | 8-8 | 7-9 | + - |
|
Markstrom is ailing from an illness and it is undetermined if he will be available against the Wild on Friday. |
|||||
| Sven Baertschi (LW) | out for season | Shoulder - 03 / 03 / 18 | 9-9 | 9-9 | + - |
|
Baertschi has been diagnosed with a separated shoulder and is expected to miss the remainder of the season. |
|||||
| Philip Holm (D) | Ques Tues | Acquired - 27 / 02 / 18 | 10-10 | 9-11 | + - |
|
Holm was recently acquired and it is unclear if he will make his team debut against the Kings on Tuesday. |
|||||
Blue Jackets vs. Canucks Prediction
-
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
4 -
VANCOUVER CANUCKS
2
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 30 Mar 8:18pm CLB -1.5 +130 U +5.5 -130 Closing 31 Mar 8:42pm CLB -1.5 +125 O +5.5 -120 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Blue Jackets Team Leaders
Points 82
+ / - 23
Shots 249
Penalty Mins 50
Wins 37
GAA 2.42
Points 55
+ / - 8
Shots 189
Penalty Mins 74
Wins 23
GAA 2.71
Points 7
+ / - 4
Shots 25
Penalty Mins 21
Wins 2
GAA 3.18
Points + / - Shots Did not qualify Penalty Mins Wins GAA -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Canucks Team Leaders
Points 82
+ / - 23
Shots 249
Penalty Mins 50
Wins 37
GAA 2.42
Points 55
+ / - 8
Shots 189
Penalty Mins 74
Wins 23
GAA 2.71
Points 7
+ / - 4
Shots 25
Penalty Mins 21
Wins 2
GAA 3.18
Points + / - Shots Did not qualify Penalty Mins Wins GAA -
Injuries
Alexander Wennberg (C)
Ques Mon Upper Body - 12 / 04 / 18Cam Atkinson (RW)
Out Sat Rest - 07 / 04 / 18Ryan Murray (D)
Out Sat Rest - 07 / 04 / 18Artemi Panarin (LW)
Out Sat Rest - 07 / 04 / 18Markus Nutivaara (D)
Prob Thurs Illness - 02 / 04 / 18Dean Kukan (D)
Ques Tues Upper Body - 30 / 03 / 18Brandon Dubinsky (C)
Prob Sat Illness - 29 / 03 / 18David Savard (D)
Prob Tues Illness - 27 / 03 / 18Nick Foligno (LW)
Prob Thurs Lower Body - 26 / 03 / 18Jack Johnson (D)
Prob Tues Upper Body - 23 / 03 / 18Reid Boucher (C)
out for season Hand - 02 / 04 / 18Scottie Upshall (RW)
out for season Kidney - 01 / 04 / 18Anders Nilsson (G)
Ques Tues Illness - 31 / 03 / 18Christopher Tanev (D)
out for season Knee - 25 / 03 / 18Brendan Leipsic (LW)
Prob Tues Upper Body - 24 / 03 / 18Ben Hutton (D)
Mid April Foot - 17 / 03 / 18Erik Gudbranson (D)
out for season Shoulder - 14 / 03 / 18Jacob Markstrom (G)
Ques Fri Illness - 08 / 03 / 18Sven Baertschi (LW)
out for season Shoulder - 03 / 03 / 18Philip Holm (D)
Ques Tues Acquired - 27 / 02 / 18Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Alexander Wennberg (C) Ques Mon Upper Body - 12 / 04 / 18 3-3 4-2 + - Wennberg suffered an injury to his upper body and it is unclear if he will be available against the Capitals for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference First Round.
Cam Atkinson (RW) Out Sat Rest - 07 / 04 / 18 3-4 5-2 + - Atkinson will receive a day of rest against the Predators for Saturday's contest.
Ryan Murray (D) Out Sat Rest - 07 / 04 / 18 3-4 5-2 + - Murray will not be in the lineup against the Predators for Saturday's contest and will be given the day off to rest.
Artemi Panarin (LW) Out Sat Rest - 07 / 04 / 18 3-4 5-2 + - Panarin will rest against the Predators for Saturday's matchup.
Markus Nutivaara (D) Prob Thurs Illness - 02 / 04 / 18 3-6 7-2 + - Nutivaara is ailing from an illness but is likely to return for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Capitals.
Dean Kukan (D) Ques Tues Upper Body - 30 / 03 / 18 5-6 9-2 + - Kukan is battling an upper-body injury and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Red Wings on Tuesday.
Brandon Dubinsky (C) Prob Sat Illness - 29 / 03 / 18 5-6 9-2 + - Dubinsky left the last game due to an illness but is expected to be available for Saturday's tilt against the Canucks.
David Savard (D) Prob Tues Illness - 27 / 03 / 18 5-7 9-3 + - Savard is expected to be in Tuesday's lineup against the Oilers despite an illness.
Nick Foligno (LW) Prob Thurs Lower Body - 26 / 03 / 18 5-7 9-3 + - Foligno has been sidelined with a lower-body injury but is expected to be ready for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Capitals.
Jack Johnson (D) Prob Tues Upper Body - 23 / 03 / 18 6-7 9-4 + - Johnson has sat out the previous four games with an upper-body injury but is expected to play against the Red Wings on Tuesday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Reid Boucher (C) out for season Hand - 02 / 04 / 18 3-0 3-0 + - Boucher is likely to miss the remainder of the season due to a broken hand.
Scottie Upshall (RW) out for season Kidney - 01 / 04 / 18 3-0 3-0 + - Upshall is likely to miss the remainder of the season due to a lacerated kidney.
Anders Nilsson (G) Ques Tues Illness - 31 / 03 / 18 4-0 3-1 + - Nilsson is battling an illness and it is unclear if he will suit up Tuesday against the Golden Knights.
Christopher Tanev (D) out for season Knee - 25 / 03 / 18 6-1 3-4 + - Tanev has a knee injury and will miss the remainder of the season.
Brendan Leipsic (LW) Prob Tues Upper Body - 24 / 03 / 18 6-1 3-4 + - Leipsic is sidelined with an upper-body injury but is likely to return to the lineup Tuesday against the Golden Knights.
Ben Hutton (D) Mid April Foot - 17 / 03 / 18 7-4 5-6 + - Hutton is sidelined with a foot infection but is lining up to return sometime before the end of the regular season.
Erik Gudbranson (D) out for season Shoulder - 14 / 03 / 18 7-5 5-7 + - Gudbranson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.
Jacob Markstrom (G) Ques Fri Illness - 08 / 03 / 18 8-8 7-9 + - Markstrom is ailing from an illness and it is undetermined if he will be available against the Wild on Friday.
Sven Baertschi (LW) out for season Shoulder - 03 / 03 / 18 9-9 9-9 + - Baertschi has been diagnosed with a separated shoulder and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Philip Holm (D) Ques Tues Acquired - 27 / 02 / 18 10-10 9-11 + - Holm was recently acquired and it is unclear if he will make his team debut against the Kings on Tuesday.