In their first head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Anaheim Ducks and the Columbus Blue Jackets meet at Nationwide Arena in an East-West showdown. The opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, December 1, and fans at home can witness the game live on Fox Sports Ohio.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
Columbus (-215) is currently favored over Anaheim (+180), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -125 under, +105 over.
Columbus is 16-9 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 5.0 units this season. That winning percentage, ranked third in the NHL in this young season, is fairly close to the 50-32 record the team posted during the 2016-17 season campaign. Out of its 25 regular season contests, 15 of them have gone under the total, while 10 have gone over and none have pushed. This year, the team is 9-4 SU at home.
The Blue Jackets have converted on just 8.7 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s ranked 32nd overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated sixth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 83.9 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Blue Jackets have been called for penalties just 2.8 times per game overall this season, and 1.8 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for just 4.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, overall.
With a .935 save percentage and 28.1 saves per game, Sergei Bobrovsky (14-6-1) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Jackets this year. If the Jackets decide to rest him, however, head coach John Tortorella may turn to Joonas Korpisalo (2-3-3 record, .904 save percentage, 2.97 goals against average).
Artemi Panarin and Zach Werenski will each lead the offensive attack for the Blue Jackets. Panarin (16 points) has tallied five goals and 11 assists and has recorded multiple points two times this year. Werenski has seven goals and seven assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 10 games.
Anaheim is 11-14 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.9 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 25 regular season matches, 15 of its games have gone under the total, while nine have gone over and just one has pushed. As a road team so far, the Ducks are 5-5 SU.
The Ducks have converted on 18.4 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked ninth overall and it’s successfully defended 82.4 percent of all penalties.
Anaheim’s skaters have been penalized 5.0 times per game this season, 4.8 per game over their past five outings total, and 4.4 per game over their last five road outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays 10.6 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
John Gibson (.921 save percentage and 2.97 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Anaheim. Gibson is averaging 31.6 saves per game and has eight wins, 12 losses, and two OT losses to his credit.
Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Ducks will be Rickard Rakell (eight goals, 10 assists) and Corey Perry (four goals, 13 assists).
Anaheim Ducks at Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
Two of Columbus’ last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 2-0 in those games and 3-1 overall in shootouts this year.
The total has gone under in four of Columbus’ last five games.
Anaheim has managed 28.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Columbus is averaging 35.8 shots per game over its last five at home.
Anaheim skaters have given out the fourth-most hits in the league (25.4 per game).
