More than 90,000 fans are expected to be at Ohio Stadium on Saturday night when the Columbus Blue Jackets face the Detroit Red Wings at the 2025 NHL Stadium Series.
It’s rare that an outdoor game is as significant as Saturday’s Stadium Series game between Columbus and Detroit is shaping up to be. Following the Blue Jackets’ 5-2 win in Detroit on Thursday, both teams now sit tied at 66 points apiece as they each hold down one of the Eastern Conference’s two wild-card spots.
The game is set as a pick’em on the NHL odds, with the total pegged at 6.0.
Red Wings vs. Blue Jackets NHL Betting Odds
This is the third and final regular season meeting between the teams. The road team claimed victory in the previous two encounters, but it’s anyone’s guess at who has the edge in an outdoor game. Not that it helps much, but Columbus has never played an outdoor game, while Detroit is 2-2 all-time.
Neither team was expected to compete for the playoffs this season, so it has to be commended that they each have a four-point lead over their closest competition in the standings. The Wings enter Saturday with nine wins in their last 12 games, while the Blue Jackets have won 13 of 20.
Just to keep confusing you, I’d like to point out that these teams are each among the best cover options in the NHL. With Detroit at 36-23 against the spread and Columbus at 37-22 ATS, only Anaheim’s 40-18 ATS mark is better.
I can point you in the right direction when it comes to the total as the trends clearly point toward a high scoring games. Both teams have hit the Over in a majority of games this season and eight of the last 10 head-to-heads, including both games this season, have finished above the number.
Detroit Red Wings
J.T. Compher and Alex DeBrincat had the goals for Detroit on Thursday, while Cam Talbot made 25 saves on 29 shots. DeBrincat’s 27 goals on the year matches the exact total he got in each of his last two seasons, while his point streak is up to eight games. If you’re looking for player props, I recommend circling Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin. Head coach Todd McLellan ripped Larkin’s effort after Thursday’s game, so I’m high on Larkin having a response on Saturday.
Talbot is the expected starter for Detroit on Saturday as he looks to bounce back from Thursday’s performance that saw him give up all four goals in under 15 minutes in the second period. Talbot has struggled over his last four games, going 1-2-1 while allowing 13 goals, but he’s otherwise been solid this season and he’s a big reason the Red Wings are in a playoff spot. Overall, the veteran netminder is 17-12-3 with a 2.89 goals-against average and .905 save percentage.
Columbus Blue Jackets
It was a big night for James van Riemsdyk and Columbus captain Boone Jenner on Thursday. Van Riemsdyk scored two goals, while Jenner recorded a trio of assists. Kent Johnson, Sean Kuraly and Kirill Marchenko rounded out the scoring for the Blue Jackets. I like Zach Werenski to get on the board on Saturday. He’s pointless in his last two games, but he had a three-point performance in his first game after the 4 Nations break and he’s the second-highest scoring defenceman in the NHL with 62 points in 58 games.
You can likely expect Elvis Merzlikins to tend the twine for Columbus on Saturday. Merzlikins was lucky to escape with a win in his last start against Dallas after allowing four goals on just 23 shots, but he’s still a better option than backup Daniil Tarasov. Merzlikins is 21-14-4 with a 2.96 GAA and .895 SV, while Tarasov is 6-7-2 with a 3.58 GAA and .881 SV.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Red Wings vs. Blue Jackets?
-
RED WINGS
2 -
BLUE JACKETS
3
Score
Prediction
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 26 Feb 7:25pm | - | - | O +6 -115 |
| Closing 1 Mar 9:15pm | - | - | O +6.5 -105 |
- Regular Season
Red Wings Team Leaders
| Points |
80 |
| + / - |
12 |
| Shots |
244 |
| Penalty Mins |
69 |
| Wins |
21 |
| GAA |
2.49 |
| Points |
82 |
| + / - |
29 |
| Shots |
298 |
| Penalty Mins |
139 |
| Wins |
26 |
| GAA |
1.91 |
- Regular Season
Blue Jackets Team Leaders
| Points |
80 |
| + / - |
12 |
| Shots |
244 |
| Penalty Mins |
69 |
| Wins |
21 |
| GAA |
2.49 |
| Points |
82 |
| + / - |
29 |
| Shots |
298 |
| Penalty Mins |
139 |
| Wins |
26 |
| GAA |
1.91 |
Injuries
Erik Gustafsson (D)
Elmer Soderblom (LW)
Cam Talbot (G)
Elmer Soderblom (LW)
Petr Mrazek (G)
Erik Gustafsson (D)
Elmer Soderblom (LW)
Carter Mazur (LW)
Elmer Soderblom (LW)
Michael Rasmussen (C)
Elvis Merzlikins (G)
Jake Christiansen (D)
Alexandre Texier (C)
Dante Fabbro (D)
Daniil Tarasov (G)
Elvis Merzlikins (G)
Jake Christiansen (D)
Cole Sillinger (C)
Owen Sillinger (C)
Kevin Labanc (RW)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erik Gustafsson (D) | Ques Thurs | Undisclosed - 17 / 04 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Gustafsson is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up for Thursday's game against the Maple Leafs. |
|||||
| Elmer Soderblom (LW) | out for season | Undisclosed - 10 / 04 / 25 | 3-2 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Soderblom is hampered by an undisclosed injury, and he is likely to miss the remainder of the season. |
|||||
| Cam Talbot (G) | Ques Thurs | Undisclosed - 26 / 03 / 25 | 7-5 | 6-6 | + - |
|
Talbot sat out the last game due to an undisclosed injury, and it is up in the air if he will play against the Senators on Thursday. |
|||||
| Elmer Soderblom (LW) | Ques Fri | Undisclosed - 26 / 03 / 25 | 7-5 | 6-6 | + - |
|
Soderblom was held last three games due to an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will play against the Hurricanes on Friday. |
|||||
| Petr Mrazek (G) | Out indefinitely | Head - 25 / 03 / 25 | 7-6 | 7-6 | + - |
|
Mrazek is out of the lineup with a head injury, and a timetable for return has yet to be established. |
|||||
| Erik Gustafsson (D) | Out indefinitely | Undisclosed - 20 / 03 / 25 | 7-7 | 7-7 | + - |
|
Gustafsson is managing an undisclosed injury, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
| Elmer Soderblom (LW) | Ques Mon | Undisclosed - 20 / 03 / 25 | 7-7 | 7-7 | + - |
|
Soderblom is nursing an undisclosed injury, and it remains to be seen if he will be back in action against the Hockey Club on Monday. |
|||||
| Carter Mazur (LW) | Out indefinitely | Upper Body - 07 / 03 / 25 | 10-10 | 9-9-2 | + - |
|
Mazur has been placed on injured reserve with an upper body injury, and he will miss an extended period. |
|||||
| Elmer Soderblom (LW) | Ques Tues | Upper Body - 02 / 03 / 25 | 11-11 | 10-10-2 | + - |
|
Soderblom exited the last matchup due to an upper body injury, and it remains to be seen if he will suit up against the Hurricanes on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Michael Rasmussen (C) | Ques Thurs | Upper Body - 24 / 02 / 25 | 12-13 | 12-11-2 | + - |
|
Rasmussen is managing with an upper body injury, and it has yet to be established if he will feature in the lineup against the Utah Hockey Club on Thursday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elvis Merzlikins (G) | Out Thurs | Upper Body - 10 / 04 / 25 | 4-1 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Merzlikins is dealing with an upper body injury, and he is not expected to suit up against the Islanders on Thursday. |
|||||
| Jake Christiansen (D) | Ques Thurs | Upper Body - 10 / 04 / 25 | 4-1 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Christiansen is battling an upper-body injury, and it is undetermined if he will play against Islanders on Thursday. |
|||||
| Alexandre Texier (C) | Out indefinitely | Upper Body - 04 / 04 / 25 | 4-4 | 3-5 | + - |
|
Texier is bothered by an upper body injury, and he will miss an extended period. |
|||||
| Dante Fabbro (D) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 29 / 03 / 25 | 6-5 | 5-6 | + - |
|
Fabbro is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will play against the Wild on Monday. |
|||||
| Daniil Tarasov (G) | Ques Mon | Illness - 21 / 03 / 25 | 8-6 | 7-7 | + - |
|
Tarasov is ailing from illness, and it is up in the air if he will be available against the Islanders on Monday. |
|||||
| Elvis Merzlikins (G) | Ques Thurs | Personal - 14 / 03 / 25 | 9-8 | 7-10 | + - |
|
Merzlikins is dealing with a personal matter, and it is unclear if he will participate against the Panthers on Thursday. |
|||||
| Jake Christiansen (D) | Ques Sat | Upper Body - 14 / 03 / 25 | 9-8 | 7-10 | + - |
|
Christiansen is dealing with an upper body injury, and it is up in the air if he will dress against the Senators on Saturday. |
|||||
| Cole Sillinger (C) | Out indefinitely | Upper Body - 28 / 02 / 25 | 12-11 | 12-11 | + - |
|
Sillinger has wound up on the injured reserve list due to a shoulder injury, and he is projected to miss several weeks. |
|||||
| Owen Sillinger (C) | out for season | Knee - 21 / 02 / 25 | 15-11 | 14-11-1 | + - |
|
Sillinger is out of commission due to a knee injury, and he has been shut down for the remainder of the season. |
|||||
| Kevin Labanc (RW) | out for season | Shoulder - 21 / 02 / 25 | 15-11 | 14-11-1 | + - |
|
Labanc is out of action with a shoulder injury, and he is expected to miss the remainder of the season. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 26 Feb 7:25pm - - O +6 -115 Closing 1 Mar 9:15pm - - O +6.5 -105 -
- Regular Season
Red Wings Team Leaders
Points 80
+ / - 12
Shots 244
Penalty Mins 69
Wins 21
GAA 2.49
Points 82
+ / - 29
Shots 298
Penalty Mins 139
Wins 26
GAA 1.91
-
- Regular Season
Blue Jackets Team Leaders
Points 80
+ / - 12
Shots 244
Penalty Mins 69
Wins 21
GAA 2.49
Points 82
+ / - 29
Shots 298
Penalty Mins 139
Wins 26
GAA 1.91
-
Injuries
Erik Gustafsson (D)
Ques Thurs Undisclosed - 17 / 04 / 25Elmer Soderblom (LW)
out for season Undisclosed - 10 / 04 / 25Cam Talbot (G)
Ques Thurs Undisclosed - 26 / 03 / 25Elmer Soderblom (LW)
Ques Fri Undisclosed - 26 / 03 / 25Petr Mrazek (G)
Out indefinitely Head - 25 / 03 / 25Erik Gustafsson (D)
Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 20 / 03 / 25Elmer Soderblom (LW)
Ques Mon Undisclosed - 20 / 03 / 25Carter Mazur (LW)
Out indefinitely Upper Body - 07 / 03 / 25Elmer Soderblom (LW)
Ques Tues Upper Body - 02 / 03 / 25Michael Rasmussen (C)
Ques Thurs Upper Body - 24 / 02 / 25Elvis Merzlikins (G)
Out Thurs Upper Body - 10 / 04 / 25Jake Christiansen (D)
Ques Thurs Upper Body - 10 / 04 / 25Alexandre Texier (C)
Out indefinitely Upper Body - 04 / 04 / 25Dante Fabbro (D)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 29 / 03 / 25Daniil Tarasov (G)
Ques Mon Illness - 21 / 03 / 25Elvis Merzlikins (G)
Ques Thurs Personal - 14 / 03 / 25Jake Christiansen (D)
Ques Sat Upper Body - 14 / 03 / 25Cole Sillinger (C)
Out indefinitely Upper Body - 28 / 02 / 25Owen Sillinger (C)
out for season Knee - 21 / 02 / 25Kevin Labanc (RW)
out for season Shoulder - 21 / 02 / 25Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Erik Gustafsson (D) Ques Thurs Undisclosed - 17 / 04 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Gustafsson is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up for Thursday's game against the Maple Leafs.
Elmer Soderblom (LW) out for season Undisclosed - 10 / 04 / 25 3-2 3-2 + - Soderblom is hampered by an undisclosed injury, and he is likely to miss the remainder of the season.
Cam Talbot (G) Ques Thurs Undisclosed - 26 / 03 / 25 7-5 6-6 + - Talbot sat out the last game due to an undisclosed injury, and it is up in the air if he will play against the Senators on Thursday.
Elmer Soderblom (LW) Ques Fri Undisclosed - 26 / 03 / 25 7-5 6-6 + - Soderblom was held last three games due to an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will play against the Hurricanes on Friday.
Petr Mrazek (G) Out indefinitely Head - 25 / 03 / 25 7-6 7-6 + - Mrazek is out of the lineup with a head injury, and a timetable for return has yet to be established.
Erik Gustafsson (D) Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 20 / 03 / 25 7-7 7-7 + - Gustafsson is managing an undisclosed injury, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Elmer Soderblom (LW) Ques Mon Undisclosed - 20 / 03 / 25 7-7 7-7 + - Soderblom is nursing an undisclosed injury, and it remains to be seen if he will be back in action against the Hockey Club on Monday.
Carter Mazur (LW) Out indefinitely Upper Body - 07 / 03 / 25 10-10 9-9-2 + - Mazur has been placed on injured reserve with an upper body injury, and he will miss an extended period.
Elmer Soderblom (LW) Ques Tues Upper Body - 02 / 03 / 25 11-11 10-10-2 + - Soderblom exited the last matchup due to an upper body injury, and it remains to be seen if he will suit up against the Hurricanes on Tuesday.
Michael Rasmussen (C) Ques Thurs Upper Body - 24 / 02 / 25 12-13 12-11-2 + - Rasmussen is managing with an upper body injury, and it has yet to be established if he will feature in the lineup against the Utah Hockey Club on Thursday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Elvis Merzlikins (G) Out Thurs Upper Body - 10 / 04 / 25 4-1 2-3 + - Merzlikins is dealing with an upper body injury, and he is not expected to suit up against the Islanders on Thursday.
Jake Christiansen (D) Ques Thurs Upper Body - 10 / 04 / 25 4-1 2-3 + - Christiansen is battling an upper-body injury, and it is undetermined if he will play against Islanders on Thursday.
Alexandre Texier (C) Out indefinitely Upper Body - 04 / 04 / 25 4-4 3-5 + - Texier is bothered by an upper body injury, and he will miss an extended period.
Dante Fabbro (D) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 29 / 03 / 25 6-5 5-6 + - Fabbro is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will play against the Wild on Monday.
Daniil Tarasov (G) Ques Mon Illness - 21 / 03 / 25 8-6 7-7 + - Tarasov is ailing from illness, and it is up in the air if he will be available against the Islanders on Monday.
Elvis Merzlikins (G) Ques Thurs Personal - 14 / 03 / 25 9-8 7-10 + - Merzlikins is dealing with a personal matter, and it is unclear if he will participate against the Panthers on Thursday.
Jake Christiansen (D) Ques Sat Upper Body - 14 / 03 / 25 9-8 7-10 + - Christiansen is dealing with an upper body injury, and it is up in the air if he will dress against the Senators on Saturday.
Cole Sillinger (C) Out indefinitely Upper Body - 28 / 02 / 25 12-11 12-11 + - Sillinger has wound up on the injured reserve list due to a shoulder injury, and he is projected to miss several weeks.
Owen Sillinger (C) out for season Knee - 21 / 02 / 25 15-11 14-11-1 + - Sillinger is out of commission due to a knee injury, and he has been shut down for the remainder of the season.
Kevin Labanc (RW) out for season Shoulder - 21 / 02 / 25 15-11 14-11-1 + - Labanc is out of action with a shoulder injury, and he is expected to miss the remainder of the season.