The Boston Bruins (41-24-8) and Columbus Blue Jackets (38-24-11) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 5:00 p.m. EDT at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Blue Jackets are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6.5 (+104o / -125u). The Blue Jackets are a -160 favorite to win outright, while the Bruins are +135 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Bruins vs. Blue Jackets predictions and NHL picks.
Bruins vs. Blue Jackets Odds, Pick
| Bruins Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -186 | 6.5 +104o / -125u | +135 |
| Blue Jackets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +153 | 6.5 +104o / -125u | -160 |
- Bruins vs. Blue Jackets Spread: Blue Jackets -1.5 (+153 ), Bruins +1.5 (-186)
- Bruins vs. Blue Jackets Over/Under: 6.5 (+104o / -125u)
- Bruins vs. Blue Jackets Moneyline: Bruins +135, Blue Jackets -160
Bruins vs Blue Jackets Polymarket Odds
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Current odds: BRU 40% · BLU 61% · NHL
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Bruins vs. Blue Jackets Preview
Boston Bruins
Coming into this season, it felt like there were a lot of doubters regarding the Bruins. Yet here they are, holding onto dear life for a playoff spot.
This has been a surprising bunch, but what’s made this team so solid is its depth.
Of course, you have the goal scorers in David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie, but Boston has received high-end support from Fraser Minten, Marat Khusnutdinov, and Casey Mittelstadt.
What could be better is Boston’s 5-on-5 game. It’s so lethal on the power play, but as of late, the 5-on-5 game has dipped dramatically.
Over the past two weeks, the B’s have been playing like the fifth-worst offensive team with a 43.41 xGF% and fourth-worst defensively with a 3.33 xGA/60.
Goaltending has been the saving grace, as Jeremy Swayman, once again, has played like a top-three goaltender in this league.
The problem is, he just played yesterday against Minnesota, so Joonas Korpisalo will likely get the nod. Korpisalo is a fine goaltender, but don’t expect him to beat the doors off.
For the season, he’s played to an .891 SV%, but a -0.3 GSAx over his last 10 games.
Columbus Blue Jackets
At one point, the Blue Jackets were one of the NHL’s hottest teams, but since then, they’ve taken a bit of a dip.
Columbus has fallen in three of its last four games, and it gets back on the saddle again after losing to the Sharks just last night.
I’d be remiss to say I’m not worried. I’m highly bullish on this Jackets roster and the much-needed positive coaching from Rick Bowness. But they’re also playing to a dynamite 55.51 xGF% over the past two weeks, which is fifth among all teams.
In addition, the defense has been stifling, mostly led by Norris Trophy candidate Zach Werenski. Columbus has played to a 2.28 xGA/60 since March 8, which ranks second, behind only the Kings.
Expect to see goaltender Jet Greaves today, after Elvis Merzlikins got the nod last night.
I’m a big Greaves guy, and think he’s one of the more underappreciated goalies in the league.
Greaves has quietly posted a .910 SV% over 47 games and a 17.4 GSAx. Though his GSAx has taken a hit over the past 10 games, Greaves has still been quite efficient.
Bruins vs. Blue Jackets Prediction
Korpisalo getting the nod here has dramatically shifted these odds, and it’s fair to see why.
He’s only played in three games against the team he used to play for, and he’s gotten the doors beat off of him.
In three starts, he holds a 1-2 record, along with an .872 SV% and a terrible 4.19 GAA. And given how poorly Boston has been playing 5-on-5, this is a recipe for disaster for the B’s.
But usually, Boston has found a way to stay alive in games. The last four times the B’s have played in the back end of a back-to-back, they’ve all gone to overtime.
The problem is, Korpisalo. He was in net for one of those overtime games, but because of his awful record against his former team, I’m hesitant to put money towards a 60-minute tie.
Which is why I’m leaning on a Blue Jackets regulation win here.
Pick: Columbus Blue Jackets 60 Minute ML (-105, DraftKings)
