Columbus Blue Jackets vs Seattle Kraken Betting Picks

Seattle has lost six of eight, netting 23 goals. They play their second straight on the road after a 3-1 loss at Nashville. The defense is 13th in goals allowed (3.00 per game) and sixth in save percentage (.905), while the offense is 23rd in goals scored and 15th on the power play. Columbus is on an 8-6 run UNDER the total, winning three in a row, allowing a total of five goals. The defense is 13th in save percentage (.900), while the offense is 16th on the power play and 21st in shooting percentage. These teams have met once this season, a 2-1 Columbus win, and this looks like another defensive duel. Take Seattle/Columbus UNDER the total.

Dealing with an outbreak of illness, the Blue Jackets still played their guts out last night against the Oilers in Edmonton. Unfortunately for Columbus, the Oilers tied the game in the final minute and then won in overtime, 5-4. That pushed the Blue Jackets' losing streak to four in a row. It will be difficult for the Blue Jackets to regroup, having to play on the road again today without rest and for the third time in four days. It is also Columbus's fifth consecutive away game. The Kraken nearly upset the Stars, losing 2-1 at Dallas this past Sunday. The Blue Jackets have not had much luck in Seattle, losing each of the past three seasons while playing the Kraken on the road. All three losses were by multiple goals, too. Seattle is looking to atone for its last home game, an embarrassing 6-1 loss to the Sharks six days ago. This spot sets Seattle up to do just that. Take the Kraken on the puck line. 

Seattle is 8-11-0 on the road and is working on two days of rest. They won their last road game, 5-4, at Vancouver as a +110 underdog. Columbus is the second-worst defensive team in the NHL surrendering 3.61 goals per game and in save percentage (.880). They're also rank 28th in penalty killing. They've split their last ten home games, including a loss to Anaheim, 4-3, as a -180 favorite, and a 4-3 defeat to Montreal as -183 chalk. Play Seattle.

Seattle snapped a four-game losing streak with a 4-3 overtime victory against Vegas on Friday, and now Columbus looks to break a five-game skid in tonight's matchup. Elvis Merzlikins is likely in net for the Blue Jackets and he has played better overall than his 2-4-1 record indicates. Merzlikins comes into this one with a 2.89 goals-against average and .899 save percentage. It has been feast or famine for Merzlikins as he has allowed six and four goals in two of his past three starts, but two or fewer in three of his past five appearances. The Kraken have lost seven of nine and they are 1-6 their past seven games against teams that scored two or fewer goals their previous game. Take the Blue Jackets.