Overview
The Columbus Blue Jackets start out their second half of the season in Edmonton where they take on the Oilers. The Oilers have won 8 of the last 14 meetings versus the Blue Jackets although they have lost the last 3 in a row. This has been a high scoring series with 12 of the last 14 meetings going over the total including the last 6 in a row.
Head to Head Trends
Over is 12-2 in the last 14 meetings.
Blue Jackets are 5-17 in the last 22 meetings in Edmonton.
Edmonton Oilers (-125)
The Edmonton Oilers are last the Pacific Division with 43 points which is also tied for last place overall in the entire league. The Oilers are obviously not the best team in the league but they have had a lot of their key guys miss time with injuries this season. Speaking of key guys who have missed time it looks like they are getting Connor McDavid back after missing most of the season with a broken Clavicle so that should help.
The Oilers don’t do much well they are averaging just 2.36 goals per game on offense and are allowing 2.96 goals per game on defense. Those are the Oilers overall numbers but when you look a bit closer they actually play fairly well at home averaging 2.71 goals per game on offense while allowing just 2.71 goals per game on defense.
Edmonton Oilers Trends
Oilers are 37-80 in their last 117 overall.
Oilers are 13-11 at home this season.
Columbus Blue Jackets (+115)
The Columbus Blue Jackets are last in the Metropolitan Division with just 43 points a full 31 points back of the 1st place Washington Capitals. The Blue Jackets are much like the Oilers they basically suck in general but they do have a lot of young talent for the future.
The Blue Jackets are averaging 2.57 goals per game on offense but their main problem this season has been their defense allowing a league worst 3.16 goals per game. Away from home the Blue Jackets defense gets slightly better allowing 3.11 goals per game but their offense also drops off averaging just 2.44 goals per game.
Columbus Blue Jackets Trends
Blue Jackets are 3-7 in their last 10 vs. Western Conference.
Blue Jackets are 2-6 in their last 8 road games.
Conclusion
I’m going with the Edmonton Oilers over the Blue Jackets in this one. Neither team is exactly good but I like the Oilers at home where they tend to play fairly well and they should also get a nice little boost with McDavid coming back tonight.
Free Pick: Edmonton Oilers -125
