NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Predators vs Blue Jackets (Saturday, March 9)
(Photo by Ben Jackson/NHLI via Getty Images) Pictured: Boone Jenner #38 of the Columbus Blue Jackets talks with teammate Erik Gudbranson #44.
Predators vs. Blue Jackets Odds
| Predators Odds | -150 |
| Blue Jackets Odds | +125 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 -110o / -110u |
Here's everything you need to know about the Nashville Predators vs. Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, March 9 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
The Predators own a 9-0-1 record over their last 10 games and are suddenly highly likely to secure a surprise playoff berth. They were rewarded by GM Barry Trotz at the deadline with some reinforcements. Nashville has been one of the NHL's best stories, led by a significant stylistic change under new head coach Andrew Brunette.
The Blue Jackets were looking to be a sneaky playoff team themselves last offseason, as they made some win-now deals under former GM Jarmo Kekäläinen. A disastrous first half ended that possibility quickly, but they have fallen into a better run of play recently and seem to be benefitting from a healthier team dynamic.
The Predators were expected to be a seller at the deadline last offseason, and it was even thought that superstar goaltender Juuse Saros might be on the table. After a surprisingly excellent season led by Brunette thus far, they were far from a full-blown seller this deadline.
Nashville shipped off the highly underrated Yakov Trenin to Colorado, but made cheap rental additions with Jason Zucker and Anthony Beauvillier. Are the chances the Predators win the Cup legitimate? Probably not, but this weeks moves were a great way to reward a highly underrated fanbase and a roster that has overachieved, while also not mitigating the future.
Over the last 10 games, the Predators own a 55.38 xGF%. A 9-0-1 record is an overachievement, but Brunette's crew has been playing like a clear playoff side. He has invoked an up-tempo offensive style and has done well to encourage defenders to jump into the attack offensively.
The Predators have not confirmed a starting goaltender for this matchup, but it would not be shocking to see backup Kevin Lankinen play and Saros get the Predators' divisional showdown Sunday versus Minnesota. Lankinen has played to a -4.5 GSAx and .892 save percentage in 17 appearances this season.
Blue Jackets coach Pascal Vincent inherited a tough situation this fall, as he was only named head coach after a disastrous preseason blowup from Mike Babcock, who was fired prior to ever coaching a game. Still, it was fair to criticize some of the early showings from Vincent. He regularly shuffled important young pieces in and out of the lineup and into a number of different roles.
Recently, he has found some roster consistency, and finally has stuck with mainly the same top three lines for over a month. Zach Werenski has also been dominant since his return to the lineup, which has been another key reason for the Blue Jackets' improved play.
Over the last 10 games, the Blue Jackets have played to a 51.15 xGF% and have displayed legitimately solid team play.
They did trade away Jack Roslovic on Friday, who will leave a hole on the top line. Still, the main reasons that top line has been playing well have been Boone Jenner and Johnny Gaudreau. The red-hot Alex Nylander could be logical a fill-in, potentially holding some value in the prop markets Saturday morning. Keep your eye on the Blue Jackets' lines in warm-up, as they will not hold a morning skate ahead of this 12:30 E.T. start.
The Blue Jackets' second trio of Kirill Marchenko, Dmitri Voronkov and Yegor Chinakhov has been in excellent form recently. When true to form, they are a unit that can win minutes versus quality opposition.
Columbus' start to the season was horrific, and it holds some ugly contracts moving forward. Still, its young pieces are coming around and it could be a team to watch heading into next year.
It would make sense to see Elvis Merzļikins get the start here after he was ultimately not traded at Friday's deadline. He has played to a 1.6 GSAx and .904 save percentage across 35 appearances this season.
Predators vs. Blue Jackets
Betting Pick & Prediction
The Blue Jackets have been a profitable bet at 5-5-0 over their last 10. Their play has been legitimately much improved and they continue to surprise by makings games competitive. It has not necessarily just been a run of favorable luck, and if they continue to get decent goaltending they will be an irritating side down the stretch.
The Predators are playing a high quality game themselves right now and obviously deserve to be a favorite here. They are a team I have consistently respected, but I think the recent form of these teams is still closer than this price suggests. The NHL is one of the most tightly contested leagues in the world, which is always an important note when you see a team like Columbus displaying legitimately well-rounded team play.
Pick: Blue Jackets Moneyline (+136 via DraftKings | Play to +125)
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