The Columbus Blue Jackets (+145) play host to the Seattle Kraken (-170) at Nationwide Arena on Friday. The total is 6.5 (O: -110, U: -110)Seattle (34-21-6) is playing the second of a back-to-back after earning a high-scoring 5-4 overtime win over the Red Wings yesterday.
The Kraken committed four penalties in the game, though they held Detroit without a power play goal. Jared McCann and Oliver Bjorkstrand both scored twice for the Kraken. Philipp Grubauer saved an impressive 16 of 17 shots (.941%) in the win.
Columbus (20-35-6) beat the Sabres 5-3 on Tuesday. Eric Robinson scored a hat trick to lead the Blue Jackets. Elvis Merzlikins was impressive in the win, making 38 saves (.926%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Kraken won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 3-1 victory in January. Morgan Geekie, Eeli Tolvanen, and Alex Wennberg were on the scoresheet for Seattle. Kent Johnson scored Columbus’ only goal. Grubauer got the win, saving 24 of 25 shots (.960%).
FACING OFF
Seattle is averaging 3.49 goals per game for the season, sixth in the NHL, and they are taking on a Blue Jackets team that is allowing 3.67 goals a game (30th).
Meanwhile, Columbus has found the net 2.59 times a game on average, 30th in the league, and the Kraken are allowing opponents to score 3.16 goals per game (17th).
The Blue Jackets will be seeking to add to their 28th-ranked power play percentage of 16.98% against the Kraken, who are the league’s fourth-weakest penalty killing team (73.86%).
Seattle, meanwhile, has scored on 19.77% of their power play opportunities (21st), which the visitors will be aiming to improve on against Columbus’ 20th-ranked 76.88% penalty killing rate.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 49 and 46 points this season, Jordan Eberle and McCann have been the top skaters for the Kraken. In the net, Martin Jones (24-10-3) is Seattle’s top goaltender by goals against average.
He has a 2.93 GAA and a .890% save percentage. Johnny Gaudreau leads the Blue Jackets in scoring with 54 points. He has 15 goals and 39 assists in 59 games. Joonas Korpisalo (11-11-3) has the best goals against average for Columbus at 3.17. He has a save percentage of .911%.
HOME AND AWAY
Seattle is 19-9-3 on the road this season. Columbus is 13-18-2 at Nationwide Arena this season. Meanwhile, the Kraken are 3-2 without a day off and 1-2 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Blue Jackets are 3-4 with a rest advantage.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Columbus Blue Jackets (+140)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
