NHL betting preview (Dec. 27): Bruins vs. Blue Jackets odds
Join Daily Faceoff’s Andy MacNeil as he handicaps Friday’s matchup between the Boston Bruins and Columbus Blue Jackets.
Bruins vs. Blue Jackets Odds
- Boston Bruins Moneyline: -155
- Columbus Blue Jackets Moneyline: +130
- Puck Line: Bruins -1.5 (+155), Blue Jackets +1.5 (-190)
- Game Total: 6 (Over -115, Under -105)
Game odds via Sports Interaction.
Handicapping the Bruins (19-17 SU, 11-25 ATS, 17-18-1 O/U)
Boston has won eight of its last 10 meetings against Columbus, but the Blue Jackets routed the Bruins 5-1 on Nov. 18, a loss that led to the firing of head coach Jim Montgomery after an 8-9-3 start. Since then, the Bruins have gone 11-4-1 under interim head coach Joe Sacco.
The Bruins’ offense has improved, climbing to 19th in goals per 60 minutes under Sacco, up from 31st under Montgomery, though their power play has only marginally improved, moving from 32nd to 20th. However, with star forward David Pastrnak listed day-to-day after leaving the previous game with an upper-body injury, Boston’s offensive outlook becomes harder to gauge.
Boston has tightened up defensively. As of Nov. 19, only five teams had allowed more goals than the Bruins, but since the coaching change, only seven teams have allowed fewer. On the penalty kill, Boston has made more significant strides, climbing from last in the league under Montgomery to 15th. The team remains relatively undisciplined but is taking fewer penalties per game under Sacco compared to Montgomery, when they led the league in infractions.
Goaltending has been less consistent. Jeremy Swayman ranks 28th in goals saved above expected among the 32 goaltenders who’ve faced at least 300 unblocked shot attempts since Nov. 19. Year-to-date, he sits second-last in the category, with an .887 save percentage. Meanwhile, veteran goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, a former Blue Jacket, has been steadier. He holds a .904 save percentage and has saved roughly two goals above average in 12 appearances, ranking 32nd in the league.
Both goaltenders are expected to see action against the Blue Jackets, as this game marks the first half of a back-to-back. The two teams will meet again in Boston on Saturday.
Handicapping the Blue Jackets (14-21 SU, 18-17 ATS, 23-11-1 O/U)
The Blue Jackets were playing some of their best hockey when they hosted the Bruins on Nov. 18, but they’ve struggled since, losing eight of their last 11 games. Even so, Columbus remains a dangerous offensive team, ranking fourth in goals per 60 minutes. Kirill Marchenko (13-24–37), Sean Monahan (11-20–31), and Zach Werenski (11-24–35) have been key contributors. The Blue Jackets have also won their last two home games, improving to a strong 10-4-3 record on home ice this season.
The Blue Jackets are currently ranked ninth in goals per 60 minutes, thanks to strong shot generation earlier in the season. However, while they’ve scored four or more goals in three straight games, this recent uptick doesn’t reflect their broader decline in shot attempts, as they’ve dropped from seventh to 22nd in that category since their last meeting with Boston. This suggests that their current scoring success might not be sustainable if the underlying trends don’t improve.
Defensively, the Blue Jackets have been a liability all season, and their struggles have only worsened lately. Since Nov. 19, only one team has allowed more goals per 60 minutes, with Columbus surrendering four or more goals in 11 of their last 17 games. They’ve also allowed the third-most five-on-five expected goals over the last month, leaving them 31st in expected goals percentage during that span.
Starting goaltender Elvis Merzlikins has had a four-day break after head coach Dean Evason opted to start Jet Greaves against the Canadiens. Evason noted that Merzlikins has been dealing with some bumps and bruises prior to the break, but he was in the starter’s crease at Friday’s practice. While Merzlikins hasn’t had a strong season, he’s capable of stealing games, as he showed with a 40-save performance against the Devils last week, even though he’s prone to giving up plenty of goals.
Best bets for Bruins vs. Blue Jackets
- Elias Lindholm Anytime Goal (+310) at Sports Interaction
Boston’s new-look forward line of Brad Marchand, Charlie Coyle, and Elias Lindholm has been excellent in nearly 34 minutes of five-on-five ice time. Coyle and Marchand have each scored in back-to-back games, while Lindholm has found the net in three of his last four. Both Coyle (+290) and Marchand (+180) are solid goal-scoring options, but with Sports Interaction offering the best odds on Lindholm (+310) to score, he stands out as the top bet of the three.