Can the Defense of the Columbus Blue Jackets Hold Off the Boston Bruins?

The Boston Bruins will head to the Nationwide Arena on Monday evening to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets in an Eastern Conference matchup. This will be their final game and the second time they are playing in three days as they also played on Saturday, April 2. The Bruins won the first game on Mach 5 on the road 5-4 in a shootout. Boston is fourth in the Atlantic Division (41-20-5, 87 points) right now while Columbus is fifth in the Metropolitan Division (32-30-5, 69 points) up to this point. 

These teams are getting to know one another so this will be a hugely interesting game between two good teams. Let’s take a closer look into the Boston Bruins and the Columbus Blue Jackets to determine where we should be placing our bets for this game. 

Will the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Wing Play Dominate a Good Defense in the Boston Bruins?

Bruins right winger David Pastrnak has been doing very well this season as he is tied for sixth in the sport in goals and tied for 22nd in the NHL in points as he has recorded 68 points (38 goals, 30 assists) with seven points scored in his last three games. Boston has been a tough offensive team as they are scoring 3.06 goals on 35.7 shots up to this point.

Goaltender Linus Ullmark has been an average player inside of the net as he is 20-9-2 with 2.70 goals allowed per game and a .909 save percentage. The Bruins are playing pretty well defensively this season as they are giving up 2.70 goals on 28.9 shot attempts right now. 

The offense of the Columbus Blue Jackets has played well as they are averaging 3.21 goals on 30.2 shot attempts right now. Right winger Patrik Laine has been leading the team as he has produced 51 points (25 goals, 26 assists) with an additional three points in his previous two games. Defensively, Columbus has been struggling as a team as they are allowing 3.70 goals on 35.3 shots so far.

Goalie Elvis Merzlikins has been struggling inside of the net as he has posted a 22-16-5 record with a .902 save percentage and 3.40 goals allowed per game. 

Boston Bruins at Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Prediction

Both teams are doing well this season but having the second game in three days in your building against the same opponent is a good sign. Columbus’ defense needs to improve and they should be able to showcase that against a tough offense.

These offenses are doing well and the Blue Jackets are actually averaging 0.15 goals more than the Bruins. They played to a shootout in the first matchup so that means they are a lot closer than the actual stats are indicating. The Bruins are just 25-41 against the spread this season while the Blue Jackets are 40-27 against the spread.

All in all, go with the Columbus Blue Jackets to cover the puck line in their own building against the Boston Bruins here.

* All odds provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.