by Chuck Sommers
Friday, Nov 04, 2022
2022 NHL Global Series
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Venue: Nokia Arena, Tampere, Finland
Where to watch: Bally Sports Ohio, NHL Network, ALT, SN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Avalanche -245, Blue Jackets +205
FanDuel: Avalanche -250, Blue Jackets +202
BetMGM: Avalanche -250, Blue Jackets +200
Caesars: Avalanche -260, Blue Jackets +210
Season record
Blue Jackets: 3-7-0 (6 points)
Avalanche: 4-4-1 (9 points)
What an electric start to the NHL season. So much parity, so many good teams through the first 10-plus games, you have every right to be excited! Of course the Vegas Golden Knights and Boston Bruins are heading the fun charge here as the top two teams in the league, because of course they are. But never count out the Avalanche, you know they're always going to be hanging around and will be eating worlds once they get everyone healthy. But this is a good time to be playing these hockey games, as well. Look no further than our own Vegas Writer off to a 14-11-0 start over the first 30 days of the NHL season. There's also ASA, Inc. posting a 10-5-1 mark through the first month. You know you can trust our champion handicappers to get you across the finish line with your NHL bets. Check out our Best Bets page at bigal.com to see what we're throwing down!
Blue Jackets - Avalanche preview, prediction and analysis
Recent results
Blue Jackets: lost 7-1 at Devils; lost three straight
Avalanche: lost 5-4 at Islanders
The NHL's Global Series is back on with the Columbus Blue Jackets taking on the Colorado Avalanche on Friday, the first of a back-to-back. And sometimes you need to get away for a bit to get things back on track. For either team, it could be a good thing that's needed.
The Blue Jackets have gotten off to a rough start to kick off the Johnny Gaudreau era, winning just three of 10 to start the year. Columbus has lost three straight by a combined score of 17-4, which is just an absurd combination to think of at the moment. This is a goalie tandem that should be doing so much better, but it's been off. And then to see the offense dwindle in recent games. Look at the 7-1 loss at New Jersey the other night.
The Devils put 53 shots up on poor Elvis Merzlikins and shellacked him for all seven goals.
"Elvis battled right to the end, but that was pretty ugly," Columbus coach Brad Larsen said. "This was a tough one to watch. I own this. We've got to get back to the root of the problem, so it's on me. I have to get them better prepared."
Perhaps a trip out of the country will help with that. But that could also paint toward the Avalanche with two straight losses. Colorado is still without captain Gabriel Landeskog and this group is still trying to adjust to Alexandar Georgiev in the pipes, but that still doesn't exclude how off they've been unable to stay consistent.
Colorado is coming off a 5-4 loss to the New York Islanders on Long Island last time out. What's worse for the champs is they gave up five straight goals, four in the third period, to blow that one.
"Very dangerous team, very skilled team. I would say best power play probably in the League," said goalie Semyon Varlamov, who played for Colorado from 2011-19. "So it's always hard to play against those guys. It was really fun to beat them, I'm not going to lie, because, I mean, it's a great team, you know? Every time you play against your former team, it's always nice to win."
The NHL's Global Series is back on with the Columbus Blue Jackets taking on the Colorado Avalanche on Friday, the first of a back-to-back. And sometimes you need to get away for a bit to get things back on track. For either team, it could be a good thing that's needed.
The Blue Jackets have gotten off to a rough start to kick off the Johnny Gaudreau era, winning just three of 10 to start the year. Columbus has lost three straight by a combined score of 17-4, which is just an absurd combination to think of at the moment. This is a goalie tandem that should be doing so much better, but it's been off. And then to see the offense dwindle in recent games. Look at the 7-1 loss at New Jersey the other night.
The Devils put 53 shots up on poor Elvis Merzlikins and shellacked him for all seven goals.
"Elvis battled right to the end, but that was pretty ugly," Columbus coach Brad Larsen said. "This was a tough one to watch. I own this. We've got to get back to the root of the problem, so it's on me. I have to get them better prepared."
Perhaps a trip out of the country will help with that. But that could also paint toward the Avalanche with two straight losses. Colorado is still without captain Gabriel Landeskog and this group is still trying to adjust to Alexandar Georgiev in the pipes, but that still doesn't exclude how off they've been unable to stay consistent.
Colorado is coming off a 5-4 loss to the New York Islanders on Long Island last time out. What's worse for the champs is they gave up five straight goals, four in the third period, to blow that one.
"Very dangerous team, very skilled team. I would say best power play probably in the League," said goalie Semyon Varlamov, who played for Colorado from 2011-19. "So it's always hard to play against those guys. It was really fun to beat them, I'm not going to lie, because, I mean, it's a great team, you know? Every time you play against your former team, it's always nice to win."
Prediction
Colorado is going to have a field day with this week. Not that there is any home-ice advantage this weekend, but you at least know that the Avs are going to rebound. Good bonding opportunity for a team that needs to get it going heading into November. Never go against the champs. Avalanche win 4-2
Betting trends
Blue Jackets are 31-52 after a division game the last three years.
Blue Jackets are 24-32 off a loss to a division opponent the last three years.
Blue Jackets are 8-21 the last three years after allowing four goals or more in two straight games.
Avalanche are 15-3 off three days rest the last three years.
Avalanche are 27-14 in non-conference games the last three years.
Avalanche are 60-27 after playing a road game the last three years.
Projected lines
Blue Jackets:
Johnny Gaudreau -- Jack Roslovic -- Patrik Laine
Gustav Nyquist -- Boone Jenner -- Kent Johnson
Yegor Chinakhov -- Cole Sillinger -- Jakub Voracek
Eric Robinson -- Sean Kuraly -- Liam Foudy
Zach Werenski -- Nick Blankenburg
Vladislav Gavrikov -- Andrew Peeke
Jake Bean -- Erik Gudbranson
Elvis Merzlikins
Johnny Gaudreau -- Jack Roslovic -- Patrik Laine
Gustav Nyquist -- Boone Jenner -- Kent Johnson
Yegor Chinakhov -- Cole Sillinger -- Jakub Voracek
Eric Robinson -- Sean Kuraly -- Liam Foudy
Zach Werenski -- Nick Blankenburg
Vladislav Gavrikov -- Andrew Peeke
Jake Bean -- Erik Gudbranson
Elvis Merzlikins
Avalanche:
Evan Rodrigues -- Nathan MacKinnon - Valeri Nichushkin
Artturi Lehkonen -- J.T. Compher - Mikko Rantanen
Andrew Cogliano -- Alex Newhook - Logan O'Connor
Dryden Hunt -- Mikhail Maltsev -- Jacob MacDonald
Devon Toews -- Cale Makar
Bowen Byram -- Josh Manson
Samuel Girard -- Erik Johnson
Alexandar Georgiev
Evan Rodrigues -- Nathan MacKinnon - Valeri Nichushkin
Artturi Lehkonen -- J.T. Compher - Mikko Rantanen
Andrew Cogliano -- Alex Newhook - Logan O'Connor
Dryden Hunt -- Mikhail Maltsev -- Jacob MacDonald
Devon Toews -- Cale Makar
Bowen Byram -- Josh Manson
Samuel Girard -- Erik Johnson
Alexandar Georgiev
Statistical leaders
Blue Jackets:
Points: Johnny Gaudreau -- 8
Goals: Johnny Gaudreau -- 5
Assists: Jakub Voracek -- 6
Goalie: Elvis Merzlikins -- 2-4-0, 4.75 GAA, .864 SV%
Avalanche:
Points: Valeri Nichushkin -- 12
Goals: Valeri Nichushkin -- 7
Assists: Nathan MacKinnon -- 9
Goalie: Alexandar Georgiev -- 4-1-1, 2.81 GAA, .918 SV%
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert hockey picks today. And if you enjoyed this Columbus Blue Jackets - Colorado Avalanche prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NHL projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
