NHL Best Bets: Blue Jackets vs. Oilers Game Picks

Two teams headed in opposite directions will collide when the Edmonton Oilers host the Columbus Blue Jackets.

All Odds Courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Columbus Blue Jackets (+300) vs. Edmonton Oilers (-385) Total: 6.5 (O -128, U +104)

To say that things haven’t gone as the Blue Jackets planned would be an understatement. This team was expected to jump in the standings after being active in free agency, but that hasn’t been the case. On the other hand, the Oilers still find themselves in a playoff position and on the rise in the Western Conference. 

The Oilers have won six straight games and own a 7-2-1 record over their last ten. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets have struggled, with a 3-6-1 record over their previous ten.

Looking toward the projected goalie matchup, the visiting Blue Jackets should continue riding Elvis Merzlikins, while the Oilers should do the same with Stuart Skinner. The Blue Jackets netminder has a 5-13 record with a .868 save percentage, while Skinner is 13-10-2 with a .915 save percentage. With what we’ve seen from these goalies, it’s difficult not to give the Oilers an edge in the net.

It’s hard to find an area in which the Oilers shouldn’t have an edge tonight. There’s no value in backing the Oilers’ moneyline price of -385, and even though it’s hard to project a team to win by three goals, there’s value in supporting the Oilers’ puck line odds at +116. 

Best Bet: Oilers Puck Line -2.5 (+116) 

This is the first of two matchups between the Oilers and Blue Jackets, and it’s one where Edmonton should be able to take full advantage. The Oilers sit with the NHL’s third-highest scoring offense, while the Blue Jackets sit in 30th in goals allowed per game. Over the Blue Jackets’ last five games, three matchups have seen seven or more goals scored, while the Oilers have seen that in four of their previous five. Following the trends, there’s definite value in backing the over 6.5 at -128. 

Best Bet: Over 6.5 (-128) 

It’s hardly a secret that the Edmonton Oilers boast two of the NHL’s highest-scoring players, so targeting them in this matchup should be something we continue to look at. Connor McDavid is the NHL’s best player and has already scored an absurd 40 goals in just 48 games. With a highly cushy matchup for McDavid and the Oilers, it would be silly to ignore the NHL’s leading goal scorer. Even though McDavid is sitting at -140 to score, it’s hard to avoid targeting him in this matchup. 

Best Prop: Connor McDavid to Record Over 0.5 Goals (-140)