Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Ottawa Senators Prediction: Trust the Puck to Find the Back of the Net
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Ottawa Senators Prediction: Trust the Puck to Find the Back of the Net
Blue Jackets vs. Senators Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds
Date:Â Friday, April 22
Game Time:Â 7:00 pm ET
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Puck Line:Â Blue Jackets -1 (+185)
Click Here for Blue Jackets vs Senators Odds
Blue Jackets vs. Senators Line Movement
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Ottawa Senators Prediction
As I always preach, most overs live and die by the first period; yes, at times things go differently, just last night we saw zero goals in the first period in St. Paul then cashed our over 6 play with six goals in the second period.
It does not matter how they come; it just matters that they do. That is the key for the strong majority of our tickets that cash though they tend to open things up early. Once the lamp is lit the dynamic, pace, and motivation changes each time that puck goes in the back of the net and if you can get two or three in the first, you are usually in for a show.
Luckily for us, these teams love to get it going early and that is why I am going to back this spot here. Usually, I love crazy good offenses in my totals but the matchup here is great; the talent, level of play, and motivation it is all the same. These guys are out of the race but they still are professional hockey players who I can assure you would much rather win than lose and tonight is a game that is up for grabs.
Ottawa is going with backup netminder Filip Gustavsson again after a win in his last outing over Vancouver; with that said he is still just 4-11-1 on the season sporting a 3.71 GAA and a sub .890 save percentage. Columbus is going with EM but he has played a lot of hockey this season and is good for at least three here sporting a 3.33 GAA through 53 starts this season.
Columbus is sporting a 3.68 GAA and a league second worst 35.29 SAPG; Ottawa counters with a nice 3.23 GAA and 33.16 SA/G. These squads tend to light it up or give it up early and that is a proven trend throughout the entire season to this point.
The Blue Jackets rank second in the league for both 1st period o1.5’s and GIFTS cashing in 68% of their games this season on the dot and are 7-3 across their last ten contests in both categories. Ottawa is ranked 6th for 1st period o1.5’s at just over 61% and is 8-2 across their last ten contests; they rank lower for GIFTS but are still over 60% on the season and a stellar 9-1 across their last ten tilts.
I have more action I love tonight and this one could be a snoozer if the puck luck is not there, but I do not see it that way. These squads want to win, expect the pace to be there early and if we get those two goals we need in the first I love our prospects on the full game here.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Ottawa Senators Picks
- 1st period Over 1.5/ Total Over 5.5 (+105) 2u (Bet $100 to Win $105)
- GIFT (Goal in First Ten Minutes) +Washington Capitals ML (+100) 1u (Bet $100 to Win $100)
Article Author
Born and raised in St. Louis, JT is a young gun in the industry but has already established himself as one of the sharpest. Some refer to him as the "King of the Ice" as a result of his dominance in the NHL, which has been his claim to fame. However, he also excels in other markets including the NFL, MLB, and NCAAF. You can follow JT on Twitter at @RickyBobbyBets.