Free NHL Picks Today: Vancouver Canucks vs Columbus Blue Jackets 1/27/23

Free NHL Picks Today: Vancouver Canucks vs Columbus Blue Jackets 1/27/23
Fri 27th January 2023

The Columbus Blue Jackets (15-30-3) travel to face the Vancouver Canucks (19-26-3) at Rogers Arena on Friday. Columbus is coming off a 3-2 overtime win over the Oilers on Wednesday. The Blue Jackets committed only one penalty in the game, yet still conceded a power play goal.

Kent Johnson, Boone Jenner, and Kirill Marchenko scored one apiece for the Blue Jackets. Joonas Korpisalo saved an impressive 34 of 36 shots (.944%) in the win.

Vancouver fell 6-1 to the Kraken on Wednesday. Conor Garland was the only player to score for the Canucks. Spencer Martin only had 29 saves on 35 shots against (.828%) in the loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Blue Jackets won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 4-3 (OT) victory in October. Five players had two points for Columbus. Bo Horvat (2G 0A) and Elias Pettersson (1G 1A) each had two points to lead Vancouver. Elvis Merzlikins got the win, saving 32 of 35 shots (.914%).

FACING OFF

Columbus is averaging just 2.58 goals per game for the season, 28th in the NHL. The visitors will hope to improve on that figure against a Canucks team that is allowing 3.96 goals a game (31st).

Meanwhile, Vancouver has found the net 3.27 times a game on average, 11th in the league, and the Blue Jackets are allowing opponents to score 3.85 goals per game (30th).

Columbus averages fewer shots per game (28.8) than most teams in the league, ranking 28th, while the team’s 9.0% shooting percentage is 28th. Vancouver has had difficulty stopping shots, ranking No. 32 with a team save percentage of .881%.

The Blue Jackets will be seeking to build on their 30th-ranked power play percentage of 16.00% against the Canucks, who are the league’s weakest penalty killing team (65.94%).

Vancouver, meanwhile, has scored on 22.16% of their power play opportunities (15th), which the hosts will be aiming to improve on against Columbus’ 18th-ranked 77.12% penalty killing rate.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 47 points this season, Johnny Gaudreau is the top skater for the Blue Jackets. He has 13 goals and 34 assists in 48 games. In the net, Korpisalo (7-8-2) is Columbus’ top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.30 GAA and a .908% save percentage.

Pettersson leads the Canucks in scoring with 56 points. He has 19 goals and 37 assists. Martin (11-12-1) has the best goals against average for Vancouver at 3.86. He has a save percentage of .877%.

HOME AND AWAY

Columbus is 4-15-2 on the road this season. Vancouver is 9-13-1 at home this season.

SportsTips’ NHL Pick:

Columbus Blue Jackets (+150)

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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.

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