NHL betting preview (Dec. 19): Devils vs. Blue Jackets odds
Join Daily Faceoff’s Andy MacNeil as he handicaps Thursday’s matchup between the New Jersey Devils and Columbus Blue Jackets.
Devils vs. Blue Jackets Odds
- New Jersey Devils Moneyline: -225
- Columbus Blue Jackets Moneyline: +180
- Puck Line: Devils -1.5 (+115), Blue Jackets +1.5 (-135)
- Game Total: 6.5 (Over +100, Under -120)
Game odds via Sports Interaction.
Handicapping the Devils (21-13 SU, 17-17 ATS, 12-20-2 O/U)
Although they occasionally experience a hiccup, the New Jersey Devils have been rolling since late October. While they recently lost consecutive games for the first time in nearly two months, they’ve won three straight and 16 of their last 20 overall. Additionally, the Devils have won seven of their past 10 meetings with the Blue Jackets, including three in a row, and their last three trips to Columbus. Considering this is arguably the best team the Devils have assembled in recent seasons, they should continue to dominate this matchup.
New Jersey ranks third in expected goals and fifth in shots at five-on-five. The Devils have the second-best power play percentage (30.1) in the league, and only six teams have scored more goals (3.34) than they have per 60 minutes. No team has generated more expected goals according to Evolving Hockey, and only three teams have created more high-danger shot attempts, per Natural Stat Trick. The Devils have five players with at least 10 goals, but the duo of Jack Hughes (13-28-41) and Jesper Bratt (14-28-42) has been unstoppable pretty much all season.
They also rank as the league’s third-best defensive team in expected goals against, and thanks to solid goaltending, only two teams have allowed fewer goals. It’s unclear whether Jacob Markstrom will get the start on Monday, as Jake Allen just recently rejoined the team after last appearing on Dec. 8.
Handicapping the Blue Jackets (12-20 SU, 16-16 ATS, 21-10-4 O/U)
Whatever the Blue Jackets had going for them seems to have fizzled out as they have reverted back to their losing ways. Columbus started out fine, winning five of its first nine games, but followed that up with a six-game losing streak. The Blue Jackets looked to be back on track for a short time, winning six of eight games, but they have dropped eight of nine since then, including five in a row. Columbus was scoring a lot of goals, ranking sixth in goals per 60 minutes as of Dec. 1, but the Blue Jackets rank 29th in that category since then and only four teams have allowed more goals.
It’s unclear what caused the Blue Jackets to fall off, but it’s clear that they have. Per Evolving Hockey, Columbus was the third-best team in terms of generating unblocked shot attempts as of Dec. 1, but only 10 teams have been worse since. The Blue Jackets ranked seventh in even-strength expected goals in the first 23 games, but they rank 29th over their last nine games. Not to mention, they’ve allowed four or more goals in 15 out of their last 23 games. Tampa Bay, Carolina, and Edmonton all scored between four and six goals in recent games against the Blue Jackets, and New Jersey should, too.
Best Bets for Devils vs. Blue Jackets
- Jack Hughes Anytime Goal (+155)
- Jack Hughes Over 1.5 Points (+175)
This strategy worked with another top star on Wednesday, and it’s a solid matchup to apply the same approach to Jack Hughes. Hughes has scored five of his 13 goals in the last 10 games and has registered multiple points in six of his last nine. He’s also scored seven goals in his past eight games against Columbus, with two or more points in four of those matchups. Given Columbus’s current form, it’s clear that the odds on both props should be much shorter than they are. In fact, it’s objectively true. With the Blue Jackets’ defensive struggles and Hughes’ strong performance this season, along with his historical success in this matchup, the betting market should have sky-high confidence in him and his player props.