The Columbus Blue Jackets (14-30-3) travel to take on the Edmonton Oilers (27-18-3), who will be out to extend their winning streak, at Rogers Place on Wednesday. Columbus is coming off a 4-3 overtime loss against the Flames on Monday.
The Blue Jackets committed four penalties in the game, though they held Calgary without a power play goal. Patrik Laine, Boone Jenner, and Kirill Marchenko scored one apiece for the Blue Jackets. Laine added two assists to lead the team in scoring.
Joonas Korpisalo had 45 saves in the loss. Edmonton won their sixth straight game, beating the Canucks 4-2 on Saturday. Four players found the net for the Oilers. Zach Hyman scored and provided three assists to lead the team in scoring. Stuart Skinner saved 27 of 29 shots in the win (.931%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams split their two meetings last season, the last of which was a 5-2 victory for the Blue Jackets in April. Oliver Bjorkstrand (1G 2A) and Jakub Voracek (0G 3A) each had three points to lead Columbus. Connor McDavid led Edmonton with two points (0G 2A). Elvis Merzlikins got the win, saving 33 of 35 shots (.942%).
FACING OFF
Columbus is averaging 2.57 goals per game for the season, 28th in the NHL, and they are taking on an Oilers team that is allowing 3.23 goals a game (19th).
Meanwhile, Edmonton has found the net 3.71 times a game on average, third in the league, and will be looking to exploit the Blue Jackets’ weak defense, which is allowing opponents to score 3.89 goals per game (30th).
Columbus averages fewer shots/game (28.9) than most teams in the league, ranking 28th, while the team’s 9.0% shooting percentage is 29th. Edmonton’s average of 32.8 attempts ranks seventh.
The Oilers’ 31.58% power play percentage is the best in the league, while the Blue Jackets rank 30th with a conversion rate of just 16.26%. In terms of defending power plays, Columbus has the league’s 18th-ranked PK% at 77.63%, while Edmonton is 22nd at 75.44%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 46 points this season, Johnny Gaudreau is the top skater for the Blue Jackets. He has 13 goals and 33 assists in 47 games. In the net, Korpisalo (7-8-1) is Columbus’ top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.27 GAA and a .907% save percentage.
McDavid leads the Oilers and the league in scoring with 88 points. His 40 goals and 48 assists are both best in the league. Skinner (13-10-2) has the best goals against average for Edmonton at 2.92. He has a save percentage of .915%.
HOME AND AWAY
Columbus is 3-15-2 on the road this season. Edmonton is 12-11-2 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Edmonton Oilers -2.5 (+105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
