Vancouver Canucks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, NHL Odds
The Vancouver Canucks and Columbus Blue Jackets clash on Thursday night in the NHL. This matchup is part of a massive 10-game slate, and we are here to provide our Canucks vs. Blue Jackets preview and prediction to get you set for the game.
These intra-conference teams met very early into the season, which resulted in a tight 4-3 win for Vancouver. Can Columbus even the score in their second and final matchup of the season?
Canucks vs. Blue Jackets NHL Betting Odds
On the puckline this season, Vancouver has gone 20-26, while Columbus is even at 23-23. As heavy favourites on the NHL odds in the game, the Blue Jackets have a -1.5 puckline at +145, while the Canucks have a +1.5 puckline at -170.
Columbus is also -170 on the moneyline, while Vancouver is +145. One market to watch for is first period moneyline, where Columbus has won or tied in 67 per cent of games, as opposed to Vancouver who has just eight first-period wins in 46 games.
In the game totals, Columbus is 22-22-2 to the over, while Vancouver is 25-19-2. Inconsistency from both teams has resulted in a lot of goals within their games, caused by shaky defence and sporadic offence. The total is set for 6.5 goals, priced at -115 for the over and -105 for the under.
Kirill Marchenko (+155) and Adam Fantilli (+160) have the highest odds to score for Columbus. As for Vancouver, Elias Pettersson (+175) and Brock Boeser (+190) lead the way. However, the hottest goal scorer in this game is Blue Jackets forward Charlie Coyle (+350), who has tallied three goals in his last two games. Can he keep it up against a suspect Canucks team?
Vancouver Canucks
It has been quite some time since the Vancouver Canucks (16-25-5) have earned a victory. Their last win came on December 29th, and the team has gone 0-6-2 since. They are playing in their sixth and final road game of a gruelling six-game road trip, which I am sure the team will be thrilled to put behind them.
As desperate as they may be, this will not be easy. Seemingly with a snap of their fingers, Vancouver will need to completely modify their game efforts to even at least keep this a close game. With minimal momentum, I can’t see it happening. Prior to their most-recent loss, the Canucks had four-straight multi-goal losses.
Vancouver is compiling a long list of injuries, which is greatly affecting an already weak roster. Starting goaltender Thatcher Demko, forwards Marco Rossi, Kiefer Sherwood, Filip Chytil, and Teddy Blueger, as well as depth defender Derek Forbort are all out.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets (20-19-7) have remained in the hunt in the Metropolitan Division all season, but they are starting to fade away. They currently sit seventh in the division, and are seven points from a wild card position.
However, expectations aside, I believe this team will continue pushing for what would be a surprising playoff appearance. They have won two straight games, and when facing bottom feeding teams like Vancouver, they have to make their efforts count.
Missing from this game will be Miles Wood and Isaac Lundestrom, with Denton Mateychuk and Damon Severson day-to-day. I expect this roster to come out ready to play.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Canucks vs. Blue Jackets?
While the Canucks are absolutely desperate to earn their first win in 2026, I don’t see them succeeding. The Blue Jackets are on home ice, where they have posted a winning record of 10-7-4, and they are riding momentum on a two-game winning streak. They have shown greater results in goals per game, goals against per game, penalty kill and save percentage, and frankly we rarely know what Canucks team we will get on any given night. The Columbus Blue Jackets take this one 4-3.
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