NHL betting preview (Feb. 27): Blue Jackets vs. Red Wings odds
Join Daily Faceoff’s Andy MacNeil as he handicaps Thursday’s matchup between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings.
Blue Jackets vs. Red Wings Odds
- Columbus Blue Jackets Moneyline: +130
- Detroit Red Wings Moneyline: -155
- Puck Line: Blue Jackets +1.5 (-190), Red Wings -1.5 (+155)
- Game Total: 6.5 (Over +100, Under -120)
Game odds via Sports Interaction.
Handicapping the Blue Jackets (28-30 SU, 36-22 ATS, 33-23-2 O/U)
Columbus went into the break on a four-game losing streak, but after a 5-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks and a 6-4 upset of the Dallas Stars, the Blue Jackets are back in a wild card spot with a two-point lead over the Rangers, Senators, and Bruins. This game is an important one, as Columbus sits four points back of the Red Wings, who currently occupy the first wild card spot.
The Blue Jackets have lost four straight versus Detroit, but the last three meetings between the two clubs have been decided by one goal, so the matchups have been close. This is the first game in a home-and-home series, with the teams set to meet again on Saturday in the NHL Stadium Series in Ohio.
Columbus has struggled on the road this season, going 9-16-4, but they’ve gone 5-5 straight-up in their last 10 away games. There’s not much separating these two teams, as both rank among the bottom 10 in even strength expected goals percentage since Jan. 1. However, Columbus has posted the fifth-best goal share in that span. Only four teams have scored more even-strength goals per 60 minutes in 2025, and the Blue Jackets also rank among the top 10 in goals against per 60.
Special teams haven’t been a strength for Columbus, which could pose a problem against Detroit. However, starting goaltender Elvis Merzlikins has been solid over the last few months. Since Dec. 1, Merzlikins has saved the team 7.68 goals above expected, according to Evolving Hockey — 16th out of 25 goaltenders who have faced at least 800 unblocked shot attempts during that time.
Handicapping the Red Wings (30-28 SU, 36-22 ATS, 28-26-4 O/U)
After squandering leads in consecutive games following the break, the Red Wings flipped the script with a comeback win of their own, rallying with three unanswered goals to edge the Minnesota Wild, 3-2, on Tuesday. Detroit has now won nine of its last 11 games, but it hasn’t been without drama — five of its last eight contests have required overtime or a shootout.
Despite the nail-biting finishes, the Red Wings have thrived under head coach Todd McLellan, posting a 17-5-2 record since his arrival. A potent power play has fueled the surge, with Detroit netting eight goals on the man advantage in its last six games. The Red Wings boast the NHL’s top power play since the coaching change, converting at a 38.4 percent rate. However, their even-strength offense has been less impressive, ranking among the bottom 10 teams in goals per 60 minutes.
Detroit has improved its puck possession under McLellan, ranking 10th in shot attempt percentage since Dec. 27, but the underlying numbers paint a less flattering picture. The Red Wings rank 25th in expected goals percentage at even strength and sit in the league’s bottom 10 in goal share. While they’ve done well to limit shot volume, ranking seventh in shot attempts against per 60 minutes under McLellan, the quality of those chances remains concerning — Detroit ranks 20th in expected goals against per 60 minutes.
Cam Talbot is likely to get the nod in goal after a solid outing against the Wild, stopping 22 of 24 shots. Talbot has been in fine form, going 11-2-1 since Jan. 2, though his last meeting with the Blue Jackets saw him surrender four goals on 25 shots.
Best bets for Blue Jackets vs. Red Wings
- Columbus Blue Jackets Moneyline (+130) at Sports Interaction
The Red Wings deserve to be a favorite in this game, but they’re getting too much love from the betting market as -155 moneyline favorites. They’ve been good underdogs this season, but they haven’t been good enough to be profitable as a favorite. In fact, Detroit has played seven home games with moneyline odds of -135 or higher, and they’ve only managed to win three.