Ottawa Senators at Columbus Blue Jackets odds, picks and predictions
The Ottawa Senators (8-9-0) take on the Columbus Blue Jackets (7-13-4) Friday at Nationwide Arena. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Senators vs. Blue Jackets odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Sens have had a few days to stew over Monday's 5-0 shutout at the hands of the Florida Panthers. LW Brady Tkachuk had 7 shots on goal and came up empty but led the team with 16 penalty minutes as his brother, Matthew Tkachuk got the best of him. LW Tim Stutzle leads the Senators with 22 points (5 goals, 17 assists).
The Blue Jackets have alternated wins and losses over the last 4, including a stunning 5-2 W over the Boston Bruins Monday. The momentum didn't last long, though, as they fell 4-2 to the Montreal Canadiens Wednesday. C Boone Jenner leads the club with 11 goals and 16 points.
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Senators at Blue Jackets odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:46 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Senators -155 (bet $155 to win $100) | Blue Jackets +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Senators -1.5 (+150) | Blue Jackets +1.5 (-185)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -135 | U: +110)
Senators at Blue Jackets projected goalies
Joonas Korpisalo (5-5-0, 3.34 GAA, .902 SV%) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (5-8-3, 3.11 GAA, .907 SV%)
Korpisalo has allowed 9 goals in his last 2 starts. He was between the pipes in the 5-0 loss Monday and 5-4 OT win Nov. 16. This will be his 1st start against his former club in a bit of a revenge spot.
The Latvian Merzlikins has been steady in his last 2 starts despite them being losses. He allowed 3 goals in each and made 27 and 40 saves in them. He faced Ottawa once last season and was pulled after allowing 4 goals on 23 shots.
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Senators at Blue Jackets picks and predictions
Prediction
Blue Jackets 3, Senators 2
Moneyline
The Sens won 2 of the 3 meetings last year, but Columbus got them 4-3 in OT in the final meeting. This is more of a pick 'em game than the Senators' -155 ML suggests. We're 17 games into the season, and the Senators have only played 4 road games, which they've won 2 of. The Jackets are 5-7-1 at home. Ottawa has been idle for 4 days now, and their lack of experience on the road thus far could bite them.
Take a chance on BLUE JACKETS +125.
Puck line/Against the spread
I'm not interested in either side of the puck line. One prop that stands out, though, is BRADY TKACHUK OVER 4.5 SHOTS (+100). It sounds like a lofty number, but he has hit it in 5 straight. His last 5 game shot totals: 7, 7, 7, 8, 5.
Over/Under
This could go either way, but to drop -135 on an Over 6.5 with this much uncertainty is a no-go for me. The last 2 meetings hit this number, but the previous 4 did not.
Personally, I'm going to PASS. However, if you forced me to choose a side, I'd lean Under 6.5 (+110).
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