The Detroit Red Wings host the Columbus Blue Jackets, Thursday April 1, as the Wings continue to burn their way up the standings. Detroit leads the season series 2-1. NHL oddsmakers at SPORTSBETTING.com have the Red Wings as -310 moneyline favs over the Blue Jackets (+245) with the over/under set at 5.5 goals . Be sure to get your Columbus Blue Jackets vs Detroit Red Wings NHL Picks in early at SPORTSBETTING.com
The Blue Jackets (32-32-4-9) have won six of ten but lost three of last five road games. They are 12-21-1-4 on the road where they average 2.61 GAG and allow 3.55 GAG. They recently beat Tampa Bay 3-2 at home thanks to goals from Fedor Tyutin and a pair from Rick Nash. Goalie Steve Mason got his third straight win and is 4-6 in his last ten with a 3.40 GAA. Overall he’s 20-23-8 with a 3.13 GAA and a .898 SVPCT. The Jackets are officially out of the playoff race and are only playing for pride and jobs next season. Over the last 18 games, winger Jake Voracek has 8 goals, 21 points and a plus-9 rating, scoring at least a point in 13 of those 18 games. Columbus has only four powerplay goals in ten games, or 39 tries. Their penalty kill has improved over the last three games allowing one in eight kills.
The Red Wings (40-23-4-9) have won nine of ten and five straight on home ice. They are 23-10-2-3 at home where they average 2.89 GAG and allow 2.26 GAG. They recently beat Edmonton 5-4 at home. They got goals from Andreas Lilja, Niklas Kronwall, Drew Miller, Johan Franzen and Brad Stuart. Goalie Jimmy Howard is burning up the league after going 9-1 in his last ten with a 1.90 GAA. Overall he’s 33-15-6 with a 2.27 GAA and a .925 SVPCT. Detroit is on a 13-2-1 streak since Feb. 11 and has climbed to sixth in the Western Conference playoff race, just one point head of LA. Detroit's penalty killing unit has killed 66 of 71 and has not allowed a powerplay goal against in 11 of the last 13 games, killing off 36 of 38 penalties taken in that span. The Wings finished March with 12 victories in 15 games after it looked like they might miss the playoffs . "It's almost like a playoff situation for us in March, where we had to win games. We couldn't continue to play .500 hockey," Nick Lidstrom said. "It helps you to get going again once the playoffs start. If you're in our situation, that can carry you to the playoffs, if you're forced to play good hockey in the last 10-15 games." Now that the Red Wings have all but officially qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the 18th consecutive season the question is will the club earn one of the top four seeds for the 17th consecutive season. They are currently six points behind Central Division-leading Chicago.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Detroit.
- Blue Jackets are 6-22 in the last 28 meetings in Detroit.
- Red Wings are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. Central.
- Red Wings are 5-0 in their last 5 games following a win.
- Red Wings are 6-0 in their last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Red Wings are 5-0 in their last 5 vs. Western Conference.
- Red Wings are 13-3 in their last 16 overall.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Detroit Red Wings
When: Thursday April 1, 2009 7:30 PM ET
Line: SPORTSBETTING.com
Pick: Wings -310
Point-Spreads.com Columbus Blue Jackets vs Detroit Red Wings NHL Picks
The Bottom Line: The Wings are returning to their usual winning ways just in time for the playoffs. Be sure to get your Columbus Blue Jackets vs Detroit Red Wings NHL Picks in early at SPORTSBETTING.com and cash in with sign-up bonuses, weekly reload bonuses and free payouts at SPORTSBETTING.com, where betting is safe, secure and easy.
