NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Bruins vs Blue Jackets (Monday, November 27)
Charlie McAvoy #73 of the Boston Bruins (Getty Images)
Bruins vs. Blue Jackets Odds
| Bruins Odds | -220 |
| Blue Jackets Odds | +180 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 +108 / -130 |
An unlikely three losses in four games have put the Boston Bruins in a precarious situation, as they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets. Prior to this losing skid, the Bruins were the league’s hottest team, and now share the best record with the Rangers.
November has not been kind to the Blue Jackets. They fell to Carolina last night, and have gone 3-8-2 this month. Along with that, they own the worst record in the Metropolitan Division, so the Jackets have a lot to figure out.
Let's preview the latest NHL odds and dive into my Bruins vs. Blue Jackets prediction for Monday, November 27.
Aside from the Bruins dynamic season, the story of the show has been David Pastrnak who’s having a special season. Out of the 20 games he’s suited up in, he’s registered a point in all of them but four. Charlie Coyle, captain Brad Marchand, and Pavel Zacha have all been huge parts to this great start as well.
Boston is pretty solid at 5-on-5 play, but it thrives at special teams. The Bruins rank 11th in expected goals with a 52.27 xGF%, and are tenth defensively with a 2.47 xGA/60.
This penalty kill is stifling. They stuff opposing power plays at a staggering 91.5% rate. The power play is decent, but not as dominating, scoring at a nearly 23% clip.
Boston has split the starts in net between Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman. Since Ullmark started on Saturday, I’m curious to see who starts tonight. Both have been incredible though. Swayman is playing to a .927 SV% and a +7.1 goals saved above expected (GSAx), while Ullmark has a .918 SV% and a +4.2 GSAx. Either way you’re getting a quality goalie in net.
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Columbus has struggled mightily to generate offense. Luckily captain Boone Jenner is among the leaders in goal scoring, and Kirill Marchenko is always a threat to score. Another player of note is that Zach Werenski continues to solidify himself as a high-end defenseman. Aside from those three, there hasn’t been much else to write home about from the Jackets.
The even strength play has been such a grind for Columbus. The Jackets play to a below average 47.65 xGF%, and defensively, are among the league’s worst at a 3.04 xGA/60.
Their power play is just as bad. Columbus scores at a porous 10%, but at least the penalty is its saving grace succeeding 87% of the time.
Since Elvis Merzlikins started last night, I would have to assume the Jackets roll out Spencer Martin. Martin is a backup – nothing more, nothing less and his stats show it. He’s playing to a mediocre .897 SV% and a -0.7 GSAx.
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Bruins vs. Blue Jackets
Betting Pick & Prediction
This is all a perfect storm for the Bruins to get back in the win column. Boston has had the Blue Jackets’ number for quite a while, winning its six last meetings, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see that streak continue to seven. In three of those meetups, the Bruins have won by two goals or more.
As I look to the lines, I’m getting more intrigued at the thought of picking the Bruins at puckline. Even though the Bruins are on the road, they’ve held their own, going 7-2-2, where the Jackets have gone 4-6-2 in front of their home crowd.
Even with those records, FanDuel seems to think Columbus can at least keep it close. However, with the Bruins coming in searching for blood, and the Jackets potentially with their backup goalie, we could see a mauling.
Pick: Bruins -1.5 (+112)
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