The Columbus Blue Jackets (+220) head to take on the Seattle Kraken (-270) at Climate Pledge Arena on Saturday. The total is 6.5 (O: -105, U: -115)Both teams will be playing the second of a back-to-back. The Blue Jackets are 2-6 without rest, while the Kraken are 2-1.
Columbus (15-31-3) is playing their last of four games on the road coming off a 5-2 loss against the Canucks yesterday. The Blue Jackets committed four penalties in the game, conceding two power play goals. Kirill Marchenko was the only player to find the net, scoring twice for the Blue Jackets.
Joonas Korpisalo saved only 29 of 34 shots against (.852%) in the loss. Seattle (28-15-5) is wrapping up a five-game homestand after a 5-2 loss against the Flames yesterday. John Hayden and Eeli Tolvanen both scored once for the Kraken. Martin Jones only had 33 saves on 37 shots against (.891%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Blue Jackets won both games between the teams last season, including a 5-4 (OT) victory in their final meeting in December. Max Domi led Columbus with three points (2G 1A). Four players were on the scoresheet for Seattle. Elvis Merzlikins got the win despite saving only 28 of 32 shots (.875%).
FACING OFF
Columbus is averaging 2.57 goals per game for the season, 29th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Kraken team that is allowing 3.08 goals a game (17th).
Meanwhile, Seattle has found the net 3.62 times a game on average, fourth in the league, and will be looking to capitalize on the Blue Jackets’ weak defense, which is allowing opponents to score 3.88 goals per game (30th).
Columbus averages fewer shots (28.7) than most teams in the league, ranking 29th, while the team’s 9.0% shooting percentage is 29th.
Seattle has had difficulty stopping shots, ranking No. 28 with a team save percentage of .894%. The Kraken’s 20.57% power play percentage ranks 18th in the league, while the Blue Jackets are 27th with a conversion rate of 17.05%.
Seattle has been less impressive at penalty killing, as the home team possesses the league’s third-lowest PK% at 71.92%. Columbus’ 76.43% ranks 21st in the NHL.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 48 points this season, Johnny Gaudreau is the top skater for the Blue Jackets. He has 13 goals and 35 assists in 49 games. In the net, Korpisalo (8-8-2) is Columbus’ top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.22 GAA and a .910% save percentage.
Andre Burakovsky (39 points), Jordan Eberle (37), and Matty Beniers (36) lead the Kraken in scoring. Burakovsky has 13 goals and 26 assists, while Eberle has 10 goals and 27 assists. Beniers has 17 goals and 19 assists. Jones (23-6-3) has the best goals against average for Seattle at 2.78. He has a save percentage of .895%.
HOME AND AWAY
Columbus is 4-16-2 away from Nationwide Arena this season. Seattle is 12-10-3 at Climate Pledge Arena this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Columbus Blue Jackets (+220)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
