Anaheim Ducks vs Columbus Blue Jackets Picks and Predictions November 10th 2024

Making on a bet on this NHL game featuring the Blue Jackets versus the Ducks? The puck drops at 8:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. The odds for this non-conference game currently have the Ducks as the -1.5 favorite, with the over/under line sitting at 6.5 goals.

Columbus vs. Anaheim Key Information

• Teams: Blue Jackets at Ducks
• Where: Honda Center Anaheim
• Date: Sunday, November 10th
• Betting Odds ANA -120 | CBJ +101 O/U 6.5

The Blue Jackets Can Win If…

Columbus dropped to 5-6-2 after a 7-2 loss to the Capitals. The Blue Jackets’ defense struggled early, giving up five goals in the first period.

As +1.5 goal underdogs, Columbus failed to cover the puck line. The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, and the combined 9 goals easily went over.

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 put them on the board 49 seconds into the second period.

Columbus had 13 giveaways and failed to convert on any of their power play opportunities. Adam Fantilli picked up his fourth assist of the season, while Sean Monahan added his fifth assist on Labanc’s goal.

The Blue Jackets’ defense had a rough start, giving up five goals in the first period, including one just 56 seconds into the game. They also allowed a goal at 4:51 in the second period and another at 18:34 in the third. Goalie Daniil Tarasov made 15 saves with a 68.2% save percentage. Defensively, Columbus had 10 takeaways and 17 hits.

• Columbus has put together a record of 0-3 in their last three games (regular season). Across these games, their puck line record was just 0-3, while posting an over-under record of 2-1.
• Across Columbus’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 4-6. Across these games, their puck line record was just 5-5, while posting an over-under record of 7-3.

The Ducks Can Win If…

The Ducks fell to 4-7-2 after a 4-2 loss to the Blackhawks. Anaheim, favored on the puck line, failed to cover, and the total of 6 goals fell short of the pre-game line of 6.5.

Anaheim’s defense struggled early, giving up two goals in the first period. The Ducks didn’t score until the 3rd period, when Brock McGinn found the net at 9:44.

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

The Ducks were held scoreless until McGinn’s goal at the 9:44 mark of the third period. They recorded 16 giveaways and picked up three assists, with Troy Terry now at five assists on the season and Ryan Strome at four.

Anaheim’s defense struggled early, giving up two goals in the first period and another late in the second, all before the Ducks got on the board. They also allowed a late goal in the 3rd period, which sealed the game for Chicago. Lukas Dostal made 25 saves with a save percentage of 86.2%.

• Through their last three regular season contests, Anaheim has a record of 0-3. Their record against the puck line in this stretch is 0-3 to go along with an over-under mark of 1-1-1.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Anaheim has a record of 2-8. This includes going 5-5 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 3-6-1.

The Lean

For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Ducks to pick up on a win over the Blue Jackets at home. With the moneyline sitting at -120, I’ll be locking in a bet on the Ducks straight-up.

If you’re looking for my recommendation on the puck line, I suggest taking the Blue Jackets to cover. Even if the Ducks manage to win outright, this game is expected to remain competitive, and the Blue Jackets should cover the puck line.

For those looking at the over/under line set at 6.5 goals, our expectation is that this game will surpass that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the over.

The Anaheim Ducks and Columbus Blue Jackets will both be desperately searching for a win when they meet Sunday night in Anaheim. Each team is riding a four-game losing streak, with both squads frustrated by recent struggles to generate offense and find consistency.

Ducks Aim to Overcome Scoring Drought

The Ducks have scored just 27 goals in 13 games, the fewest in the NHL. Over their last four games, they’ve been outscored 14-5, with Friday’s 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild exemplifying their offensive frustrations. Despite outshooting the Wild 35-31, Anaheim’s chances were stifled, and they went 0-for-6 on the power play, including a missed four-minute opportunity in the third period that could have helped close the gap.

Head coach Greg Cronin acknowledged the mounting pressure on his team to find the back of the net. “When you’re not scoring, it’s like the balloon is getting bigger and bigger,” Cronin said. “We’re just waiting for it to pop in a good way and get some goals.”

Trevor Zegras, who missed a key opportunity on a penalty shot in Friday’s game, is among the Ducks feeling the weight of this scoring slump. Despite some promising offensive looks, Anaheim has struggled to convert, leaving players and coaches alike searching for answers.

Defense-First Mindset

The Ducks’ defensive structure remains a focus for Cronin, especially given the challenges of a young team. Veteran defenseman Brian Dumoulin emphasized the importance of staying committed to defensive responsibilities, even amid the offensive drought. “When goals aren’t going in, guys can get frustrated, and your game can slip because you cheat a little bit to the offensive side,” Dumoulin said. “We just have to defend hard, and we’ll get chances off of it.”

Blue Jackets Also Struggling to Close Games

The Blue Jackets are experiencing similar frustrations, having lost four consecutive games and coming off a 5-2 defeat to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night. Columbus opened the scoring with Dmitri Voronkov’s goal but was unable to maintain momentum, allowing the Kings to take control with three unanswered goals. Columbus has struggled with costly turnovers and defensive lapses that have led directly to goals for their opponents.

“We want to come out with a win, but we’ve got to find a way to win games,” said forward Justin Danforth, who recorded two assists in Saturday’s game. “That’s what playoff teams do. So we have to get back on track, get a little confidence back, and a big game tomorrow.”

Cutting Down on Mistakes

Columbus head coach Dean Evason echoed Danforth’s sentiments, stressing the need for cleaner play, especially in their own zone. “The first goal we turn it over. The second goal we make a huge mistake. The third goal we turn it over,” Evason said. “In key areas of the ice, we have to make the right reads or clearly not turn the puck over.”

Evason knows his team can’t afford to gift opponents momentum, especially on the second game of a back-to-back. Columbus will have to stay disciplined and focused to keep Anaheim at bay.

Key Factors for Sunday’s Matchup

Special Teams Improvement: Both teams have struggled with power-play efficiency, and a successful power-play goal could make the difference in what is expected to be a tight game. Capitalizing on special teams opportunities will be critical in a matchup where goals may be hard to come by.

Defensive Discipline: Anaheim and Columbus have both faced issues with turnovers leading to goals. Limiting these errors, especially in high-pressure areas, will be crucial for each team’s chances of snapping their losing streak.

Net Presence: With both teams dealing with offensive struggles, creating traffic in front of the net and capitalizing on rebounds could be the key to breaking through stingy defenses. Each team will need to battle for positioning in the crease to increase their chances of converting.

Daily NHL Picks

Outlook

This game presents an opportunity for both the Ducks and Blue Jackets to regain confidence and avoid extending their losing streaks. Anaheim will be especially motivated to give their home fans something to cheer for after three straight losses on their current homestand. The Blue Jackets, on the other hand, will aim to bring energy on the second night of their back-to-back, hoping to capitalize on the Ducks’ scoring woes.

Both teams are feeling the pressure, and whichever squad can stay disciplined and capitalize on scoring opportunities is likely to come out on top in what should be an intense matchup. With both Anaheim and Columbus desperate to turn things around, this game is likely to feature a spirited, high-energy effort from each side.