Devils vs Blue Jackets Odds and Best NHL Pick for Saturday (Jan 8)
- The New Jersey Devils head to Columbus to take on the Blue Jackets Saturday night from Nationwide Arena at 7:00 PM EST
- Mackenzie Blackwood is projected to start against Elvis Merzlikins
- Read below for the Devils vs Blue Jackets odds, prediction, and best NHL betting pick for Saturday
The New Jersey Devils head out west to Columbus as the two Metropolitan Division teams face each other Saturday, January 8th, 2022. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM EST at Nationwide Arena and will be broadcast on BSOH and MSG+. The New Jersey Devils are listed at +106 with Columbus at -129 in the Barstool Sportsbook Devils vs Blue Jackets odds. The total for this matchup in the Saturday NHL odds is listed at 6.5 with the under gaining momentum at -118.
Will the New Jersey Devils win for the fifth time in six games? Or will Columbus snap their three game skid? Let’s dig into the Devils vs Blue Jackets odds and find out what the best NHL pick is for Saturday, January 8th, 2022.
Devils vs Blue Jackets Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Devils | +106 | +1.5 (-230) | O 6.5 (-104) |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | -129 | -1.5 (+180) | U 6.5 (-118) |
Odds as of January 7th at Barstool Sportsbook.
Blackwood’s Wild Ride Leads To More Questions
While the New Jersey Devils have lugged their way closer to .500, there are questions as to how long can this run continue. They have won four of their past five games. The concern is their goaltending and particularly, Mackenzie Blackwood. New Jersey’s starting goaltender is not healthy as he has been battling a stubborn heel issue all season. Yet on Thursday night, he found a way to stop 17 of 18 shots in the first period en route to a 3-1 win.
Devils defeated Blue Jackets 3-1 and Mackenzie Blackwood played a huge role. Columbus was a better team in that game but he saved 31 of 32 shots he faced.
6 saves came against HD shots while he stopped more than 2.5 expected goals and basically stole the win. pic.twitter.com/9BRVco22bE
— Andy & Rono 📊 (@HockeyStatsCZ) January 7, 2022
This is the Blackwood we are used to seeing. It is that performance which made him a fringe contender in the Vezina Trophy odds before all the COVID. Blackwood’s inconsistent play is why New Jersey is a slight underdog in Saturday’s NHL odds for Devils vs Blue Jackets.
Blue Jackets NHL Odds Plummet From Long Downturn
During the 2 1/2 months, there has been a dip in the Boston Bruins Stanley Cup odds. This is a team that started the season at around +5000 to win the Stanley Cup. Columbus now is at +20000 at Barstool and about the same elsewhere. They started the year with a 12-6 mark through 18 games. Since then, injuries and poor team defense have led them back to around .500. Columbus has gone 3-10-1 in their previous 14 contests.
Columbus was shorthanded again on Tuesday and fell 3-1 on the road to the Devils. It was progress considering the Blue Jackets were allowing over four goals a game during this current slump. Could there be a little hope?
In the good news department for the #CBJ today, goalie Elvis Merzlikins (lower body) is getting in some 1-on-1 work in the Ice Haus with goaltending coach Manny Legace prior to the Jackets’ noon practice on the main sheet @NationwideArena
— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) January 7, 2022
It seems that Merzlikins is closer to returning. The question is will he play? His home splits could tilt things some. The goaltender is 10-2-1 at Nationwide Arena with a 2.40 goals against average and a .928 save percentage.
The season is getting away from Columbus.
Devils vs Blue Jackets Recent Results
| Date | Result | Moneyline | Puckline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/6/2022 | Devils 3 Blue Jackets 1 | NJD | NJD | Under |
| 10/31/2021 | Blue Jackets 4 Devils 3 (SO) | CLB | CLB | Over |
| 2/16/2020 | Devils 4 Blue Jackets 3 (SO) | NJD | NJD | Over |
| 1/18/2020 | Blue Jackets 5 Devils 0 | CLB | CLB | Under |
| 12/21/2019 | Blue Jackets 5 Devils 1 | CLB | CLB | Over |
Blue Jackets vs Devils Prediction & Pick
The Columbus Blue Jackets and New Jersey Devils both are quite hard to figure out but the Blue Jackets have been a much better home team this season (10-5-1 record). That is their one true solace. Then, there was this.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have placed forward Alexandre Texier in the NHL's COVID-19 protocol, the club announced Friday. https://t.co/qfJjUc7Kcz
— WSYX ABC 6 (@wsyx6) January 7, 2022
For the Devils, they need Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier to continue to be their best players along with Mackenzie Blackwood.
Back to the Blue Jackets, they have to hope that Elvis Merzlikins can give it a go on Saturday. It has been a rough stretch for Columbus. Maybe, something gives this weekend.
Take the Blue Jackets moneyline as some sites have them as high as a -158 favorite (-129 is not bad at Barstool Sportsbook) in the Devils vs Blue Jackets odds.
Pick: Blue Jackets ML (-129)
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A journalist veteran for over two decades, Chris has taught the gamut of fantasy hockey sports online from injuries to news to prospects, and more. He has bet on several sports and written sports betting articles about the NBA, MLB, NCAA football, the NFL, and NHL for USA Today.
