Columbus Blue Jackets vs Anaheim Ducks Picks and Predictions December 14th 2024

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Anaheim Ducks December 14th 2024

Betting on today’s Ducks and Blue Jackets game? Catch the action at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH, as the Blue Jackets hosts this showdown at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under for this game is set at 6 goals, and the Blue Jackets are favored by -1.5 vs. the Ducks in a non-conference matchup.

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Anaheim vs. Columbus Key Information

• Teams: Ducks at Blue Jackets
• Where: Nationwide Arena Columbus
• Date: Saturday, December 14th
• Betting Odds CBJ -164 | ANA +138 O/U 6

The Ducks Can Win If…

Anaheim’s 4-2 loss to the Blackhawks dropped their record to 10-14-4. The Ducks were favored on the puck line, but failed to cover. The total was set at 6.5 goals, and the combined 6 goals fell just short of that mark.

The Ducks fell behind early, allowing two goals in the first period. They were down 3-0 before getting on the board with a goal from Brock McGinn in the third period. Mason McTavish added another goal for Anaheim with just four seconds left in the game.

Anaheim fired 39 shots on goal but only managed to score twice in their 4-2 loss to Chicago. Brock McGinn netted his second goal of the season, while Mason McTavish added his second as well, with McTavish’s goal coming on a power play with just 4 seconds left in the game.

Ross Johnston picked up his first assist of the season on McGinn’s goal, and Troy Terry and Ryan Strome added to their assist totals, with Terry now at 5 and Strome at 4. The Ducks were held scoreless until the 3rd period.

Anaheim’s defense struggled early, allowing the first three goals—two of which were on the power play. Lukas Dostal made 25 saves with an 86.2% save percentage. The Ducks had 6 takeaways and 15 hits.

• The Ducks have gone 0-3 over their last three regular season games. Against the spread, they have a strong mark of 2-1 along with an over-under record of 0-2-1.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Ducks have gone 2-8 straight up. Across these games, their puck line record was just 7-3, while posting an over-under record of 3-6-1.

The Blue Jackets Can Win If…

Columbus fell to 12-14-4 after a 7-2 loss to the Capitals. The Blue Jackets were underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 9 goals went over the 6.5 line.

Defensively, Columbus struggled right from the start, allowing five goals in the first period. Damon Severson got the Blue Jackets on the board at 19:11 in the second period, but the game was already out of reach.

Columbus was limited to just two goals in their 7-2 loss to the Capitals. Damon Severson netted his fourth goal of the season, while Kevin Labanc added his second. The Blue Jackets fired 36 shots on goal but came up empty on the power play.

Columbus registered 13 giveaways and recorded 3 assists. Sean Monahan picked up his fifth assist of the season, and Zach Aston-Reese added his second. Adam Fantilli also contributed with his fourth assist.

Columbus’ defense struggled early, giving up five goals in the first period, including the first just 56 seconds into the game. They allowed two more goals, one at 4:51 in the second period and another at 18:34 in the third. Goalie Daniil Tarasov finished with a 68.2% save percentage on 22 shots from the Capitals.

• Over their last three regular season games, the Blue Jackets have gone 1-2 straight up. They have held up well vs the puck line in these matchups, going 2-1 as well as an over-under record of 1-2.
• Columbus has put together a record of 4-6 in their last ten games (regular season). Their record vs the puck line sits at 5-5 in these matchups, while posting a 7-3 over-under mark.

The Lean

For a moneyline bet, I’m backing the Blue Jackets to secure a victory over the Ducks at home. With the moneyline currently set at -164, I’m locking in my bet on the Blue Jackets straight-up.

For a puck line prediction, our preference is the Blue Jackets to secure a win and cover. Anticipate the Blue Jackets to win this one by multiple goals over the Ducks.

If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 6 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.

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Ducks and Blue Jackets Face Off in Search of Redemption

A battle between two struggling teams, the Anaheim Ducks and Columbus Blue Jackets, will take center stage on Saturday as both franchises aim to reverse their fortunes. The Ducks, reeling from a season-high five-game losing streak, visit a Columbus squad that has won just one of its last six games. Despite their setbacks, both teams are finding reasons for optimism through individual performances and coaching adjustments.

Ducks Seek to Regain Momentum

The Anaheim Ducks enter the matchup desperate for a spark after scoring just seven goals across their five-game skid. However, head coach Greg Cronin found hope in his team’s improved effort during their 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday.

“We skated more,” Cronin observed, comparing their performance to a 5-1 loss against the Ottawa Senators earlier in the week. “I thought we had a lot of pace and urgency. It’s unfortunate we couldn’t get a point, but the energy was much better.”

Notable Contributions

• Jackson LaCombe continues to shine for the Ducks. The defenseman scored and assisted in Thursday’s game and was instrumental in Anaheim’s 4-2 victory over Columbus on Nov. 10, where he also found the net.
• Trevor Zegras, who logged a season-high 22:05 of ice time in that prior matchup, will miss this game following surgery to repair a torn meniscus. His absence leaves a significant gap in Anaheim’s lineup.

Blue Jackets Lean on Rising Stars

The Columbus Blue Jackets are also grappling with offensive inconsistency, netting just 13 goals over their last six games. Despite their struggles, key players and young talent are stepping up, offering hope for the future.

Key Performances

• Zach Werenski, a cornerstone for the Blue Jackets, reached a milestone on Thursday by becoming the first defenseman in franchise history to score 100 career goals. His power-play goal in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals also extended his home point streak to eight games.
  “It’s a cool moment,” Werenski reflected. “But I don’t want to stop there. It’s something to build on.”
• Kent Johnson has been a consistent contributor, tallying three goals and two assists over his last three games.

A Promising Goaltender

One of the brightest spots for Columbus is Jet Greaves, who delivered an impressive 35-save performance in his season debut against Washington. Called up from the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters just a day earlier, the 23-year-old showed remarkable poise under pressure.

“Fantastic,” head coach Dean Evason praised. “I’d argue he won a point for us. For him to step in like that and keep us in the game was huge.”

The Season So Far: A Struggle for Consistency

This season has been a tough grind for both teams, with injuries and offensive struggles taking their toll:

• Anaheim has shown flashes of potential but lacks the consistency to sustain success.
• Columbus is experiencing similar woes, though individual milestones and a strong showing from Greaves provide hope for a turnaround.

The Ducks claimed the first meeting between the two teams on Nov. 10, a 4-2 victory in Anaheim. Now, the Blue Jackets have the chance to even the series on home ice.

What’s at Stake?

Both teams sit at the bottom of their respective divisions, but this game represents more than just two points in the standings. It’s an opportunity to build momentum, restore confidence, and capitalize on the flashes of brilliance shown by their key players.

For the Ducks, success hinges on maintaining the pace and urgency that Cronin praised after their Toronto game. For the Blue Jackets, continued growth from young talents like Greaves and consistency from veterans like Werenski will be critical.

Conclusion

While neither team is playoff-bound, this matchup is a pivotal moment for two franchises searching for direction. For fans of both clubs, the game promises an opportunity to witness promising individual performances and potential building blocks for the future. Whether it’s LaCombe for Anaheim or Greaves for Columbus, the stage is set for the next generation of talent to shine.

Key Players to Watch

• Anaheim Ducks: Jackson LaCombe, Frank Vatrano
• Columbus Blue Jackets: Zach Werenski, Jet Greaves, Kent Johnson

Will the Ducks break their slump, or will the Blue Jackets ride the energy of their home crowd to victory? One thing is certain: both teams have everything to play for in their desperate search for redemption.