Boston Bruins vs Columbus Blue Jackets Picks and Predictions November 18th 2024

Boston Bruins vs Columbus Blue Jackets November 18th 2024

Betting on today’s Blue Jackets and Bruins game? Catch the action at TD Garden in Boston, MA, as the Bruins hosts this showdown at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. This Eastern conference matchup has an over/under of 6 goals, and the Bruins are favored by -1.5 goals vs. the Blue Jackets.

Columbus vs. Boston Key Information

Columbus fell to 6-9-2 after a 7-2 road loss to the Capitals. The Blue Jackets entered as underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 9 goals easily surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5.

Columbus’s defense struggled right from the start, allowing 5 goals in the first period. Damon Severson and Kevin Labanc each scored for the Blue Jackets, but they were never in the game.

Columbus took 36 shots on goal but only managed to score twice in their 7-2 loss to Washington. Damon Severson netted his fourth goal of the season, while Kevin Labanc added his second. The Blue Jackets were held scoreless in the first period before Severson got them on the board just 49 seconds into the second.

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Columbus recorded 13 giveaways and failed to convert on any power play opportunities. Sean Monahan picked up his fifth assist of the season on Labanc’s goal, and Zach Aston-Reese earned his second assist. Adam Fantilli also contributed with his fourth assist on Severson’s goal.

Defensively, the Blue Jackets struggled early, allowing five goals in the first period. They also gave up a late goal at 1:26 in the 3rd period, leading to a 7-2 loss. Goalie Daniil Tarasov made 15 saves with a 68.2% save percentage.

Boston moved closer to .500 with a 2-0 win over the Kraken, bringing their record to 8-9-3. The Bruins covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total was set at 6 goals, but the combined score of 2 fell well short.

Both of Boston’s goals came in the first period, with Justin Brazeau scoring at 16:37, followed by Charlie Coyle’s goal at 10:03. The Bruins’ defense held strong, limiting the Kraken to 23 shots on goal.

Boston’s offense started strong in their 2-0 win over Seattle, with both goals coming in the first period. Justin Brazeau netted his fifth goal of the season, while Charlie Coyle added his second, scoring on a power play.

The Bruins took 33 shots on goal but were held scoreless after the first period. They recorded 16 giveaways and picked up four assists in the game.

Boston’s defense was stellar in their last game, allowing 0 goals and leading to a 2-0 win over the Kraken. Jeremy Swayman made 23 saves, finishing with a 100% save percentage. The Bruins’ defense also tallied 5 takeaways, 15 hits, and 27 blocks.

When it comes to a moneyline bet in this game, our analysis leans towards the Bruins picking up the win. However, given the current odds of -218, I’d advise going with the puck line, as our predictions have the Bruins coming out on top by more than one goal.

For a puck line pick, we are going with the Bruins to win and cover. Look for the Bruins to win this one by multiple goals over the Blue Jackets.

With an over/under line sitting at 6 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.

Bruins Look to ‘Grind’ Through Inconsistent Play Against Blue Jackets

The Boston Bruins find themselves searching for consistency as they continue their three-game homestand against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night. After going 2-2-2 in their last six games, the Bruins are eager to get back on track following a disappointing 3-2 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.

Head coach Jim Montgomery wasn’t pleased with his team’s performance, particularly their lack of energy and offensive spark. The Bruins managed just 17 shots on goal and were 0-for-17 on the power play over their last six games, showcasing an offense that’s clearly struggling to find its groove.

“You can’t plan for lack of juice,” Montgomery said. “We get to play in the greatest league in the world and the excitement should come within. Each individual should be able to go out there and play in front of our great fans.”

Frederic Shines Amid Offensive Woes

The lone bright spot for Boston on Saturday was Trent Frederic, who scored both of the team’s goals against the Blues, marking his first multi-goal game of the season. However, the rest of the lineup couldn’t muster much, as the Bruins failed to register a single shot in overtime.

Center Charlie Coyle acknowledged that the Bruins are going through a rough patch but emphasized the need for accountability.

“We have to grind through,” Coyle said. “You have to take responsibility and hold each other accountable. You know we’re going to get out of these little funks, they happen every year.”

Injury Updates and Potential Lineup Changes

The Bruins received some positive news on the injury front, as Andrew Peeke (upper body) and forward Tyler Johnson (personal reasons) returned to practice. However, forward Mark Kastelic remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

Goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, a former Blue Jacket, could get the nod in net for the second consecutive game, though no official decision has been made.

Blue Jackets Hope to Break Out of Slump

The Columbus Blue Jackets are also looking to turn things around, especially on the road, where they’ve lost seven straight games (0-5-2). They are coming off a 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, marking their seventh loss in eight games overall.

Despite a competitive first two periods, the Blue Jackets unraveled in the third, giving up three unanswered goals. Columbus coach Dean Evason stressed the need for his team to find more consistency.

“We’ve had enough learning experiences at this point to understand how we need to play to have success,” Evason said. “We believe that at some point it’ll click, and we’ll have a little more consistency than we’ve had so far.”

Turnover Troubles and Missed Opportunities

Turnovers have been a significant issue for Columbus, leading to several costly goals against Montreal. The Blue Jackets’ struggles were further compounded by undisciplined play, as they took penalties that negated two of their four power-play opportunities.

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Defenseman Zach Werenski echoed the sentiment that the team needs to simplify its game to avoid costly mistakes.

“We’re really not out of it (at 2-1), and then turnovers, a couple goals, and the next thing you know, it’s a lopsided score,” Werenski said. “You’re going to lose a lot of games in this league if you’re not playing your style.”

Head-to-Head History and Key Players to Watch

The Bruins have dominated recent matchups against the Blue Jackets, winning eight of their last nine meetings overall and four straight at TD Garden.

Key players to watch include:

• David Pastrnak (Bruins): Despite recent struggles, Pastrnak remains a potent offensive threat.
• Trent Frederic (Bruins): Coming off a two-goal performance, Frederic will look to build on that momentum.
• Zach Werenski (Blue Jackets): The defenseman’s ability to contribute at both ends of the ice will be crucial for Columbus.
• Joonas Korpisalo (Bruins): If he starts, Korpisalo will face his former team with something to prove.

What’s at Stake?

Both teams are looking to snap out of their respective slumps and gain much-needed momentum as the season progresses. For Boston, it’s about finding consistency and improving their offensive output. Meanwhile, Columbus aims to break their road losing streak and climb out of the Eastern Conference basement.

Expect both teams to bring urgency and intensity to Monday’s matchup as they look to turn their fortunes around.