Blue Jackets vs. Red Wings Odds
| Blue Jackets Odds | +145 |
| Red Wings Odds | -170 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 -120 / +100 |
Here's everything you need to know about the Blue Jackets vs Red Wings on Tuesday, March 19 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
What once looked to be a sure-fire return to the playoffs for the Red Wings is now in peril, as Detroit is officially outside of a playoff spot after the Capitals' win last night. The Red Wings have lost eight of nine, while allowing an average of 4.78 goals per game.
A date with a highly depleted Blue Jackets side offers a good chance to get right, though the Wings have lost twice to the Coyotes over this tumble down the standings.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The end of a disastrous season in Columbus is nearing, as the Blue Jackets limp into the final 14 games with a skeleton lineup. Coach Pascal Vincent took over a difficult situation due to the firing of Mike Babcock, but his usage of young talents has at times still been inexcusable.
The Blue Jackets are set to play in this matchup without a laundry list of NHL regulars in Adam Fantilli, Kent Johnson, Justin Danforth, Yegor Chinakhov, Adam Boqvist, Patrik Laine and Sean Kuraly. The only positive from the current injury report is that the Blue Jackets' important young talents who are still healthy are at least somewhat guaranteed to receive regular shifts for the time being.
Columbus enjoyed a small bounce-back in form out of the All-Star break but has began to play closer to a lottery side once again, due largely to the pileup of injuries. The Blue Jackets have allowed 3.54 xGA/60 in the month of March, and have actually outperformed expectations allowing only 3.00 goals against per game.
A positive story for the Blue Jackets has been the late season from goaltender Daniil Tarasov, who is confirmed as tonight's starter. Tarasov owns a -2.1 GSAx and .906 save % across 19 appearances this season, but has trended upwards considerably over the last month.
Detroit Red Wings
On Feb. 27 the Red Wings beat the Capitals 8-3, to make it five straight wins. Their underlying process was horrible though, and they were about as pure a regression candidate as you could find in the NHL.
Even most non-believers, such as myself, would never have counted on them losing eight of nine against a very soft schedule of opponents though. Losing captain Dylan Larkin hurts to be sure, but one players absence does not excuse allowing 4.78 goals against per game over a nine game sample that includes six games versus non-playoff opponents.
The Red Wings will remain without Larkin, as well as Michael Rasmussen and Jake Walman for tonight's game.
The Wings did call up top defensive prospect Simon Edvinsson from the AHL for this game, which looks like a highly logical move given the recent form of several of their blue-liners. Edvinsson is set to skate on the second pairing alongside Jeff Petry, and should be able to outperform Justin Holl in that role.
James Reimer has been confirmed as the Red Wings starting goaltender for this matchup. He has played to a +2.3 GSAx and .906 save % across 20 appearances.
Blue Jackets vs. Red Wings
Betting Pick & Prediction
The Blue Jackets appear to be priced fairly at +142, and I would not have a bet on either side at this point. The Red Wings will miss Jake Walman, but Edvinsson could offer a meaningful upgrade over several of their aging veterans such as Holl.
This will likely be a fairly high event matchup as well. Neither team has been in good defensive form of late, and I think we will see some of the Red Wings high profile forwards produce in this big spot. With that said, I do not trust the Wings defensive play right now, or the form of Lyon in goal.
Raymond has put up six points over his last four games, and gets a great matchup to stay hot tonight. At the time of writing, Raymond is priced at -130 to record a point on DraftKings.
You won't find many players with Raymond's offensive upside, getting top line and top powerplay usage, priced at -130 to get a point versus Columbus. That makes me believe this is a good time to back his offensive upswing continuing Thursday. Backing him to score or record two points are also solid options.
