St. Louis Blues (13-10-1) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (8-14-5)
St Louis Blues vs. Columbus Blue Jackets 12/8/23 – St. Louis Blues have secured 13 wins this season and currently stand at 13-10-1; Columbus Blue Jackets sit at 8-144-5; providing bettors and fans alike an intriguing NHL regular season matchup scheduled for Friday December 8th 2023 at Nationwide Arena and offering them both opportunities to find free NHL selections; both sides have experienced differing performances throughout this year, so fans should expect an intense battle for dominance on the ice.
Robert Thomas has been instrumental in leading an effective offense despite uneven results, scoring eight goals and 16 assists across 24 games to lead them towards victory. His ability to read games and create scoring chances was vital for their success, while Pavel Buchnevich and Jordan Kyrou have provided significant offensive power. Zach Werenski leads an insurmountable Blue Jackets defense whose strength may prove too much to overcome; with 18 assists to his name this season showing his superb defensive and playmaking talents while Blue Jackets defensemen possess immense strength this year; controlling Blues offensive charges is essential in this matchup.
As for the Blue Jackets, their offensive performance has shown some flashes of brilliance despite their tough record. Boone Jenner stands out with 13 goals to give their attack an extra push while Johnny Gaudreau provides creative vision capable of breaking through any defense. Jordan Binnington boasts an outstanding save percentage (.914) which allows them to remain competitive even when their defense falters.
St Louis Blues vs. Columbus Blue Jackets 12/8/23 Game Info
| When: | Friday, December 8, 2023, at 7:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Nationwide Arena |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Jordan Binnington vs. Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins
Jordan Binnington and Elvis Merzlikins represent their respective teams’ goaltending duels during any match between St Louis Blues and Columbus Blue Jackets; Binnington brings experience and skill while Merzlikins brings new blood into play. He has achieved an outstanding save percentage of 0.914 across 18 games, providing his team with reliable protection. His ability to quickly read plays and respond in high-pressure situations often proves key in helping the Blues win games. Binnington has demonstrated his ability to remain calm under pressure this season, keeping shootouts under control with an impressive save percentage of 0.667 and an effective save ratio. Such composure will be essential when facing threats like Columbus Blue Jackets teams.
On the Columbus Blue Jackets side of things, Elvis Merzlikins stands as an example of resilience amidst their team’s difficulties. Even as Columbus struggles, Merzlikins has demonstrated commendable fortitude with an outstanding 0.91 save percentage over 19 games played. He is known for his exceptional reflexes and an aggressive approach to shot-stopping, often keeping the Blue Jackets competitive in games they were thought likely to lose. Merzlikins has proven his ability to manage high volumes of shots, an invaluable ability against the Blues’ offensive powerhouse. Unfortunately, his performance in shootouts – similar to Binnington’s with its 0.667 save percentage – indicates potential vulnerabilities during high-stake moments. Merzlikins will need to stand tall against strategic offensive play from Thomas and Buchnevich who will significantly impact game results.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
As yet, betting odds for this game have yet to be set; however, taking into account recent team performances and standings, odds may become closely contested. Bettors should keep an eye out for puckline, moneyline, and total odds as soon as they become available, using these teams’ recent form and historical performances as guides for their betting strategies.
St. Louis Blues Betting Trends
The Blues have displayed an inconsistent performance over their last five games, going 2-3 overall and 2-3 against the spread; their road games against the spread show a balanced 7-7 mark; the total has not exceeded in any of their five matches recently, suggesting lower scoring encounters that may prove beneficial for bettors.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Trends
The Blue Jackets have demonstrated signs of improvement with a 3-2 record over their last five games and an even stronger performance against the spread – 9-3 against in road games against spread should not be taken for granted! Their tendency for high scoring games at home, with 6 out of 15 total going over, should also be taken into consideration for over/under betting purposes.
St Louis Blues vs. Columbus Blue Jackets 12/8/23 Betting Picks
Based on analysis and betting trends, this game presents an intriguing prediction challenge. While the Blue Jackets might hold an edge due to their superior overall record and solid goaltending, their recent form and strong performances against the spread – particularly on road games – makes them formidable rivals.
At this stage, St. Louis Blues may be the superior pick, due to their goaltending strength and offensive prowess. Prop bets could center around individual performances of key players like Robert Thomas or Boone Jenner; though a close call on over/under may result in lower scoring game. Our premium sports analysis suggests taking a cautious approach due to NHL games’ unpredictable nature.
Free Pick and Prediction: St. Louis Blues 3, Columbus Blue Jackets 2