Anaheim Ducks @ Columbus Blue Jackets - December 14, 2024

As I settle in for the game at Nationwide Arena, there’s a palpable buzz in the air. The Columbus Blue Jackets are set to face off against the Anaheim Ducks, and let me tell you, I’ve seen my fair share of matchups like this. Oddsmakers have opened with Columbus as -143 favorites, and honestly, that feels right on the money given both teams’ current form.

The Blue Jackets come into this game with a record of 12-13-4. They’ve been struggling lately, losing five of their last six games. But here’s where it gets interesting: despite those losses, they’ve shown some offensive firepower with an average of 3.4 goals per game and a solid shooting percentage hovering around 11.5%. Their ability to generate shots—over 30 per game—is something to keep an eye on tonight.

Anaheim, on the other hand, has been in a tailspin themselves with a record of 10-14-4 and riding a five-game losing streak. They’ve managed only 2.4 goals per game and their shooting percentage is dismal at just over 8.5%. That’s not going to cut it against any team in this league, let alone one that’s had its moments like Columbus.

Defensively, both teams have their issues; however, Anaheim’s penalty kill stands slightly better at 73% compared to Columbus’s 71.7%. Still, Columbus has proven they can find ways to score even when things aren’t going perfectly—something I think will play into their favor tonight.

I’m predicting that Columbus takes this one home—not just because they’re favored but because they’re due for a win after several close calls against tougher opponents recently. My gut tells me they’ll cover the spread as well; they’ve got too much offensive talent to be held back by an underperforming Ducks squad.

Now about that total—set at 6.5—it’s tempting to think it could go over given how often both teams have scored lately (Columbus has gone over in eight of their last eleven). However, looking deeper into recent performances reveals that Anaheim tends to drag games down into lower-scoring affairs thanks to their lackluster offense and defensive resilience when needed.

So here’s my take: expect Columbus to win decisively but don’t count on fireworks lighting up the scoreboard tonight; I’m leaning towards the UNDER being the smart play here based on trends from both squads’ recent outings.

As always before betting big on any game like this one, I’ll follow my lucky ritual—maybe wear my favorite jersey or grab that lucky snack from my usual spot—and hope it brings some good fortune! Good luck out there!