The Nashville Predators (-220) welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets (+180) at Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday. The total is 6.5 (O: -115, U: -105)Both teams will be playing the second of a back-to-back. The Blue Jackets are 2-5 without a day off, while the Predators are 3-3.
Columbus (13-28-2) is coming off a 3-1 loss against the Rangers yesterday. The Blue Jackets committed five penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Andrew Peeke was the only player to find the net for the Blue Jackets.
Elvis Merzlikins only had 30 saves on 33 shots against (.909%) in the loss. Nashville (20-17-6) beat the Flames 2-1 yesterday. Roman Josi and Juuso Parssinen both scored once for the Predators. Juuse Saros was impressive in the win, making 38 saves (.974%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Blue Jackets won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 5-3 victory in October. Johnny Gaudreau (2G 0A), Nick Blankenburg (1G 1A), and Yegor Chinakhov (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Columbus. Yakov Trenin (1G 1A), Tanner Jeannot (1G 1A), and Colton Sissons (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Nashville. Merzlikins got the win despite saving only 23 of 26 shots (.884%).
FACING OFF
Columbus is averaging 2.53 goals per game for the season, 30th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Predators team that is allowing 2.93 goals a game (14th). Meanwhile, Nashville has found the net 2.74 times a game on average, 27th in the league, and the Blue Jackets are allowing opponents to score 3.93 goals per game (30th).
Columbus averages fewer shots (28.6) than most teams in the league, ranking 28th, while the team’s 9.0% shooting percentage is 27th. Nashville has been up to the task of stopping shots, ranking No. 4 with a team save percentage of .920%.
The Blue Jackets’ 15.04% power play percentage is the worst in the league, while Nashville’s 16.55% conversion rate ranks fifth-lowest. In terms of defending power plays, Nashville has the league’s 14th-ranked PK% at 79.61%, while Columbus is 18th at 76.22%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 41 points this season, Gaudreau is the top skater for the Blue Jackets. He has 12 goals and 29 assists in 43 games. In the net, Joonas Korpisalo (6-8-1) is Columbus’ top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.28 GAA and a .908% save percentage. Merzlikins (5-11-0) leads the Blue Jackets in games played in goal.
He has a GAA of 4.52 and a save percentage of .867%.Filip Forsberg and Josi lead the Predators in scoring with 38 and 35 points, respectively. Forsberg has 18 goals and 20 assists, while Josi has 12 goals and 23 assists. Saros (15-12-5) is the top goalie for Nashville with a goals against average of 2.73. He has a save percentage of .919%.
HOME AND AWAY
Columbus is 3-14-1 on the road this season. Nashville is 10-7-3 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Nashville Predators (-210)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
