Columbus Blue Jackets vs Winnipeg Jets Picks and Predictions November 1st 2024

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Winnipeg Jets November 1st 2024

The Jets and Blue Jackets are set to face off at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The Blue Jackets will host the game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH. The Jets are favored by -1.5 goals in this non-conference contest against the Blue Jackets. The game’s over/under currently sits at 6 goals.

Winnipeg vs. Columbus Key Information

With a 6-2 win over the Red Wings, the Jets improved to 9-1-0 this season. Winnipeg covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 8 goals surpassed the pre-game line of 6.

Five different players scored for the Jets, who jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period. Detroit responded with two goals in the second, but Winnipeg pulled away with three more in the third.

Winnipeg’s offense got off to a fast start, scoring three times in the first period, including Kyle Connor’s 9th goal of the season. Neal Pionk found the net twice, bringing his season total to three goals. Nino Niederreiter added his 6th goal of the year, while Colin Miller also scored, his second of the season.

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The Jets took 29 shots on goal and recorded 12 giveaways. They scored their 5th goal on a power play, with Pionk’s second goal coming at the 12:41 mark in the third period.

On defense, the Jets will look to carry over their 3rd period performance from their previous game, where they allowed no goals. However, they did give up two goals in the 2nd period, both on the power play. Goalie Connor Hellebuyck finished with 19 saves and a 90.5% save percentage, while the defense added 3 takeaways and 10 hits.

Columbus improved to 5-3-1 with a 2-0 win over the Islanders. The Blue Jackets covered the puck line as underdogs, and the total of 2 goals fell short of the 6-goal line.

Both of Columbus’ goals came in the third period. Damon Severson scored at 14:17, and Justin Danforth added an empty-net goal at 2:03 to seal the win.

Columbus took 26 shots on goal in their 2-0 win over the Islanders, with Damon Severson netting his third goal of the season and Justin Danforth adding his second on an empty net. The Blue Jackets were held scoreless until the 14:17 mark of the third period.

Columbus had 16 giveaways and scored both of their goals in the third period. Cole Sillinger picked up his sixth assist on Danforth’s empty-netter, while Ivan Provorov earned his third assist of the season.

The Blue Jackets’ defense was stellar, shutting out the Islanders in a 2-0 victory. Elvis Merzlikins made 26 saves with a perfect 100% save percentage, while the defense added 3 takeaways and 18 hits.

For a moneyline bet, I’m backing the Blue Jackets to secure a victory over the Jets at home. With the moneyline currently set at +157, I’m locking in my bet on the Blue Jackets straight-up.

Our projections have the Blue Jackets pulling out a win as the underdog. But if you’re not as bullish as we are on the Blue Jackets, we’d recommend at least getting a bet down on them to cover the puck line.

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.

Streaking Blue Jackets Look to Keep Momentum Against Top-Ranked Jets

The Columbus Blue Jackets aim to extend their recent streak of success when they host the Winnipeg Jets on Friday night, a team currently leading the NHL standings and boasting the season’s best record.

Blue Jackets Riding Strong Form, Led by Merzlikins’ Stellar Play

The Blue Jackets are on a four-game point streak (3-0-1), with goaltender Elvis Merzlikins at the core of their success. Fresh off a 2-0 shutout against the New York Islanders on Wednesday night, Merzlikins continues to perform at a high level. In the game against the Islanders, he stopped all 26 shots, securing his 11th career shutout and proving his form to be crucial in Columbus’ recent upswing.

Merzlikins nearly achieved back-to-back shutouts, allowing only a late power-play goal to the Edmonton Oilers in Monday’s 6-1 victory. His steady play has fostered confidence in the Blue Jackets’ defensive unit, an area where the team struggled last season.

“It feels really good to win the game right now,” Merzlikins noted after Wednesday’s game. “We just have to keep working as hard as we are working now. Just take it game-by-game, step-by-step, and move forward.”

Grit and Teamwork Fuel Columbus’ Defensive Strength

Alongside Merzlikins’ goaltending, the Columbus defense has improved significantly. Defenseman Damon Severson and forward Justin Danforth each contributed goals in the tight, physical contest against New York, with Danforth sealing the game with an empty-netter late in the third period.

Ivan Provorov, a key defensive player for the Blue Jackets, emphasized the importance of winning within the division. “Every time you win within the division, it’s a big step for your team,” Provorov said. “It was kind of a grinding game out there, a lot of hitting, a lot of battling, but we found a way to win, and that’s a big improvement compared to last year.”

Jets’ Kyle Connor Leads the Charge with Record-Setting Start

The Jets, however, present a formidable challenge for Columbus. Winnipeg bounced back from their first loss of the season with a dominant 6-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday. Forward Kyle Connor continued his incredible form, notching a goal and two assists in the first period, which brought his career total to 500 NHL points.

Connor, a Michigan native, now sits at 502 points (252 goals, 250 assists) over his career and has been on a season-opening tear, recording a 10-game point streak with 17 points (nine goals, eight assists).

“We’ve been hoping to keep Kyle as our little secret up here, but 500 points might be tough to hide,” said Jets coach Scott Arniel. “He’s off to a great start this year and he’s an elite player in this league.”

Jets Resilient Despite Penalty-Kill Hiccup

Winnipeg has won nine of its first 10 games, demonstrating strength across the board, from scoring depth to disciplined play. Their recent win against Detroit saw contributions from across the roster, including two goals from Neal Pionk and solid goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck, who made 19 saves.

“I think that was a great response game,” said Jets forward Mark Scheifele, reflecting on their win in Detroit. “I thought we all stepped up. We obviously didn’t like our last one, and that’s what good teams do.”

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While Winnipeg’s overall play has been impressive, their penalty kill slipped against Detroit, giving up two power-play goals after a perfect streak in previous games. Despite this, the Jets remain one of the league’s top-performing teams.

Injury Updates for Both Teams

For Columbus, this game marks the end of a three-game homestand before embarking on a five-game road trip. They’ll aim to close out strong at home before heading into a challenging stretch away.

Winnipeg is dealing with injuries to defenseman Ville Heinola, who is recovering from ankle surgery, and forward Jaret Anderson-Dolan, who broke his foot. Both have started skating but remain out of the lineup and will not travel with the team.

The Matchup Ahead

With Columbus riding a wave of defensive improvement and the Jets showcasing one of the league’s best offenses, this matchup pits two teams with opposing strengths against each other. The Blue Jackets will need to continue their disciplined, physical style and rely on Merzlikins’ hot streak to contain Winnipeg’s high-powered attack, while the Jets will look to their dynamic offense led by Connor to break down Columbus’ defense.

It’s a test of form and fortitude for the Blue Jackets, and for the Jets, a chance to show why they sit atop the NHL standings.