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Edgar Chaput
Vancouver Canucks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, NHL Odds
Tonight is a big night for both clubs. It’s not just that any win is important in the marathon that is the NHL regular season. Each side is still searching for its first win. The longer the wait, the deeper the hole these teams will have to dig themselves out of. Moreover, both teams have some big, big early-season issues to rectify.
The home team Blue Jackets sit as -130 favourites to win the match, with the goal tally expected to be 6.0.
Canucks vs. Blue Jackets NHL Betting Odds
Since these teams contest in different conferences, they don’t often meet in the regular season. Typically twice per year at most. That said, recent history has been very favourable to the Ohio organization. The Blue Jackets have emerged victorious in 4 of the 5 previous head-to-heads. Of note, the only loss happens to be the most recent encounter, which the Canucks won 4-3 last December.
Since we’re talking odds, it can be argued that they do not favour Vancouver on the road. Going back to the end of last year, Bruce Boudreau’s side has suffered defeat in 7 out of their last 10 away games. Some of those losses have been ugly, with plenty of goals given up.
On the flip side, it isn’t as though there are many glowing comments to make about Brad Larsen’s crew when they’ve played in front of their fans. A 4-6 record over the span of 10 games is not exactly how to protect home ice. They’ve only played once at home so far this year and lost, but the silver lining is that it was against Tampa Bay, against whom most teams lose anyways.
Vancouver Canucks
Games on back-to-back nights are never easy, especially in a high-contact sport like hockey. Then again, as the old expression goes, there’s no rest for the weary. Sadly for Canucks fans, both apply in the case of their club.
Not only did Vancouver fall once again for the third time in three outings Monday night in Washington, but the defeat had an awkwardly familiar ring to it. Consider this: the Canucks blasted out to a 3-0 lead in the season opener in Edmonton only to lose 5-3. On Saturday away to the Flyers, they raced out to a 2-0 1st period lead, but ultimately fell 3-2. Last night against the Caps, a 4-2 3rd period lead devolved into a 6-4 defeat within minutes.
The team plays well for stretches, but not for a complete game. The heat is already on coach Boudreau to correct a terrible habit.
Columbus Blue Jackets
It was a blue Saturday night for several reasons. Columbus visited the St.-Louis Blues in a contest that was close for a while but ultimately ended in an emphatic 5-2 loss. In fact, the whole weekend was a poor one for Larsen’s men as that game was 24 hours after a home defeat to the mighty Lightning, also by the score of 5-2.
The off-season acquisition of former Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau was to spark the offence. That said, he and his fellow attacking players have their work cut out for them in this young 2022-2023 NHL season. Not only are the Blue Jackets not scoring that much, but they’re also conceding goals almost by the handful per game. 4-1, 5-2, and 5-2 defeats to start the season. 24th on the penalty kill, 32nd on the power play, 30th in goals scored, and 29th in goals allowed. Oof.
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