The Minnesota Wild will continue their nine-game homestand as they host the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight. The Wild also come into this game on a four-game winning streak, taking full advantage of their homestand; so far going 4-1-0 with four games left. The Blue Jackets are not going to be making the playoffs, unfortunately, but won't go down without a fight as they head into this game after an overtime loss to the Jets last night. With that, it’s time to continue our NHL odds series with a Blue Jackets-Wild prediction and pick.
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Here are the Blue Jackets-Wild NHL Odds, Courtesy of FanDuel
NHL Odds: Blue Jackets-Wild Odds
Columbus Blue Jackets: +1.5 (-102) (+230 ML)
Minnesota Wild: -1.5 (-118) (-285 ML)
Over: 6.5 (-122)
Under: 6.5 (+100)
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Why The Blue Jackets Can Cover The Spread/Win
The Columbus Blue Jackets have been a fun team to watch play lately, as they know they're not going to be able to make the playoffs, but yet somehow are still covering the spread on most of their games. The Jackets have continued to fight for each game, picking up scraps here and there to improve their standings. They definitely have the fire-power on offense to put pucks in the net, but their defense is where the true lackluster performances take place; especially between the pipes. We'll likely see Jean-Francois (JF) Berube in goal for the Jackets tonight as he is representing a 3-1-0 record through just four games played this season, with a .924 save percentage and allowing 3.25 goals against per game. He'll look to keep his hot streak going tonight in hopes to take down the Wild.
Why The Wild Can Cover The Spread/Win
The Minnesota Wild have one of the better teams in the Western Conference as they have climbed back up to second place in the Central after a midseason blow-out of going just 2-8 in after the All-Star break. However, lately, they seem to have gotten back on track as they are now on a 6-1-1 tear coming into this matchup. The Wild made some great moves at the trade deadline, including adding future hall of fame goaltender, Marc-Andre Fleury. He is likely to make his Wild debut here tonight, so it'll be interesting to see how he does with a better team in front of him this time around. On the season, Fleury is sporting a .908 save percentage while allowing 2.95 goals against per game. He'll want to start his Minnesota career with a win tonight, which is never really a problem with a goaltender like him.
Final Blue Jackets-Wild Prediction & Pick
Both of these teams would love to keep their momentum pushing into playoffs, especially for the Wild. Minnesota has really stepped back into that dominant team role lately and continue to surge as they look for their fifth win in a row tonight. I think overall, the Blue Jackets are an underrated team that's still developing, and they're close to a breakout season. However, it's not this season, as I see the Wild coming out and winning yet another game at home, something they've done as one of the best all season long (21-7-1). Give me the classic 3Way Moneyline bet for the Wild, forcing them to win in regulation.
Final Blue Jackets-Wild Prediction and Pick: 3-Way Wild ML (-175)