Columbus Blue Jackets vs Colorado Avalanche Picks and Predictions April 3rd 2025

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Colorado Avalanche April 3rd 2025

The Avalanche and Blue Jackets are set to face off at 7:30 ET on ESPN+. The Blue Jackets will host the game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH. The Avalanche come into this non-conference matchup favored by -1.5 goals. The over/under line currently sits at 6.5 goals.

Need Insights On The Go? The Scores And Stats Blog Has You Covered.

Colorado vs. Columbus Key Information

• Teams: Avalanche at Blue Jackets
• Where: Nationwide Arena Columbus
• Date: Thursday, April 3rd
• Betting Odds COL -149 | CBJ +125 O/U 6.5

The Avalanche Can Win If…

With a 5-2 loss to the Predators, the Avalanche’s record now stands at 46-27-4. Colorado took the lead early in the second period, but Nashville responded with five unanswered goals. The Avalanche were underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 7 goals surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5.

Both of Colorado’s goals came from different players. Cale Makar scored first, at 17:06 in the second period, and Nathan MacKinnon added another at 2:17 in the third. The Avalanche struggled defensively, allowing two empty-net goals late in the game.

Colorado’s offense was held to just two goals in their 5-2 loss to the Predators. Cale Makar opened the scoring with his 5th goal of the season on a power play, while Nathan MacKinnon added his 6th goal, which came at the 2:17 mark in the third period. MacKinnon also picked up his 14th assist on Makar’s goal.

The Avalanche took 30 shots on goal but were hampered by 23 giveaways. Makar’s goal came 2:54 into the second period, and MacKinnon’s late goal made it 3-2 before Nashville added two empty-netters.

Colorado’s defense struggled late, giving up three goals in the 3rd period, including two empty-netters. The Avalanche had taken a 1-0 lead in the 2nd, but Nashville tied it at 1-1 and then scored four more times. Goalie Justus Annunen made 21 saves with an 87.5% save percentage.

• Over their last three regular season games, the Avalanche have gone 1-2 straight up. In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 0-3 and an over-under mark of 0-3.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Colorado has a record of 7-3. Against the spread, Colorado went 4-6 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 4-5-1.

Stay Ahead Of The Competition—Explore The Expert Betting Guide Now.

The Blue Jackets Can Win If…

Columbus dropped to 34-30-9 after a 7-2 loss to the Capitals. The Blue Jackets’ defense faltered early, giving up their first goal just 56 seconds into the game and allowing five goals in the first period.

The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, but the teams combined for 9. Columbus, as underdogs on the puck line, failed to cover. They managed to score their first goal at 19:11 in the second period, when the Capitals were already up 5-0.

Columbus fired 36 shots on goal but only managed to score twice in their 7-2 loss to Washington. Damon Severson netted his 4th goal of the season, while Kevin Labanc added his 2nd. The Blue Jackets were held scoreless in the 1st period before Severson got them on the board early in the 2nd, followed by Labanc’s goal with 5:24 left in the period.

Columbus recorded 13 giveaways and didn’t capitalize on any power play opportunities. Adam Fantilli picked up his 4th assist on Severson’s goal, and Sean Monahan now has 5 assists after contributing on Labanc’s 2nd period goal.

Defensively, the Blue Jackets struggled, allowing the first five goals of the game, all in the first period. After cutting the deficit to 6-2 in the second period, they gave up the final goal with 1:26 left in the third. Daniil Tarasov made 15 saves with a 68.2% save percentage.

• Columbus will look to keep things rolling as they have put together a mark of 2-1 over their past three games. In terms of betting, the team went 2-1 puck line in these matchups. Their over/under record in these matchups is 2-1.
• Across Columbus’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 3-7. Against the spread, Columbus went 5-5 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Lean

When making a moneyline pick, my choice is the Blue Jackets to come out with a win against the Avalanche while playing at home. Considering the moneyline odds at +125, I’m placing my bet on the Blue Jackets to win outright.

Our projections have the Blue Jackets pulling out a win as the underdog. But if you’re not as bullish as we are on the Blue Jackets, we’d recommend at least getting a bet down on them to cover the puck line.

If you’re looking at the the over/under line set at 6.5 goals, our prediction is that this game will stay below that threshold, and we strongly suggest placing a bet on the under.

On the Playoff Bubble?

Ride the Hot Hands With Proven NHL Picks Tonight!

Join Now!

Marchenko, Blue Jackets Eye Crucial Win Against Avalanche

The Columbus Blue Jackets are clinging to playoff hopes in the Eastern Conference, and they’ll aim to stay in the race Thursday night when they host the red-hot Colorado Avalanche. Sitting just two points back of both the Canadiens and Rangers for the final wild-card spot, Columbus has a golden opportunity to make up ground — especially with a game in hand on Montreal and two on New York.

Their recent 8-4 demolition of the Nashville Predators on Tuesday was a statement performance, with Kirill Marchenko leading the charge in spectacular fashion.

Marchenko Catching Fire at the Right Time

Kirill Marchenko is heating up just when the Blue Jackets need him most. The 23-year-old winger tallied a hat trick and an assist against Nashville and now leads Columbus with 31 goals in 70 games. He’s scored in four straight games and is emerging as one of the team’s most reliable finishers down the stretch.

“The reason he’s had success is because he has been hard, because he’s been heavy, because he’s been tenacious on pucks,” said coach Dean Evason. “He’s not just one and done… which was fantastic tonight.”

Marchenko wasn’t the only standout Tuesday. Sean Monahan had a four-point night, Adam Fantilli chipped in two goals and an assist, and captain Boone Jenner extended his point streak to five games.

Columbus is 22-9-5 at home this season, and if they want to keep pace in the wild-card hunt, their remaining games at Nationwide Arena must count.

Avalanche Keep Rolling After Comeback Win

The Colorado Avalanche, meanwhile, continue to solidify their playoff position in the Western Conference. They head into Columbus after a gritty 3-2 shootout win over the Blackhawks, rallying from a two-goal deficit with third-period goals from Cale Makar and Martin Necas.

Artturi Lehkonen sealed the win in the shootout, and Colorado now has points in 15 of its last 17 games (13-2-2), reinforcing its status as one of the league’s most dangerous teams.

“Being able to kind of dig in the third period and finally capitalize on a couple of chances and come away with the two points is always encouraging,” said coach Jared Bednar.

Makar’s goal in the win gave him 29 on the season — a new franchise record for goals by a defenseman. He added an assist as well and now has six points in his last five games. With 87 total points, he trails only superstar Nathan MacKinnon, who leads the Avs with 111 (30 goals, 81 assists).

Goaltending continues to shuffle for Colorado. Scott Wedgewood earned the win on Wednesday, while Kevin Mandolese — recently recalled from the AHL — backed him up. Mandolese has yet to play an NHL game this season.

Your One-Stop For All Things Gambling—Explore Gambling News Today.

The Avs dropped a 6-4 decision to Columbus back in October but come into the rematch as a much more cohesive and confident group. Still, the Jackets will be eager to complete the season sweep in front of a home crowd with their postseason hopes on the line.

Looking to back a winner in this East vs. West showdown? Get sharp NHL picks, odds, and betting advice now.