Ottawa Senators vs. Columbus Blue Jackets: Odds, Picks & Predictions

PICK OF THE DAY: (2u) Over 5.5  @ -125

Ottawa Senators @ Columbus Blue Jackets, 8:00 PM:

• Each of the Senators’ last eight games against Metropolitan Division opponents have gone OVER the totals goal line.
• The Blue Jackets have won five of the last six meetings with the Senators. (Stats courtesy of Statschecker).

The reason we’re backing the Blue Jackets

The losses continue to pile up for the Blues Jackets (30-19-4) as Columbus lost an eighth consecutive game, losing to the Nashville Predators 4-3 in a shootout.

The Blue Jackets showed grit, battling back from a 2-0 first-period deficit by scoring three consecutive goals in the second period.

Center Boone Jenner put away his 11th goal of the season to get Columbus on the board and left-wing Eric Robinson tied the game at two with his sixth score of the season.

Center Emil Bemstrom then added his sixth marker of the season for the go-ahead goal but it was ultimately not enough to pull out the win.

Ottawa (21-30-11) lost a second consecutive game after getting shut out at home by the Montreal Canadiens 3-0.

The Senators kept up offensively, shooting 30 times to the Canadiens’ 37 attempts, but despite their best efforts Ottawa couldn’t find the back of the net.

Getting on the board consistently has been an issue for the Senators this season as they rank sixth worst in the NHL, scoring 2.65 GF/G.

The home team has won each of the first two meetings between these teams this season with both the Blue Jackets and Senators winning by a goal.

Although Columbus are losers of eight in a row, my expectation is they’ll capitalize on Ottawa who are vulnerable on the road.

The Senators (6-17-5) have a poor away record this season while the Blue Jackets have been solid at home (18-11-4).

The Blue Jackets are right on the outside of the final spot in the NHL wildcard standings with 74 points and are in much need of an outright win.

With the first two matchups being so closely decided, I’m staying away from the puck line and taking Columbus on the moneyline to play it safe.

However, if you feel confident enough in the Blue Jackets, then take them to cover the Puck Line (-1) at (+100).

In regard to the OVER, each of the Blue Jackets' last four games have totaled at least six goals and four of the last five Senators games have resulted in the same.

Not only is the current trend swaying towards the over, Ottawa’s lack of defense provides even more confidence in the OVER hitting. The Senators ranked third worst in the NHL allowing 3.34 GA/G.