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The Columbus Blue Jackets (16-31-5) visit the New Jersey Devils (26-20-4) on Tuesday night at Prudential Center. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. ET in Newark, and while these teams sit at opposite ends of the Metro standings, both are under pressure to find form. The Devils need wins to stay in the playoff picture, while the Jackets are skating out the string — though not always quietly.
Columbus is coming off a 4–3 OT loss to Ottawa but has covered the puck line in five of its last seven. The Devils return home after a 2–2 Western Canada trip and sit just outside the second wild card in the East. New Jersey is a heavy puck line favorite at -1.5 (+199), but consistency remains their biggest issue — especially in the crease. The total is currently off the board, but we’ll focus on matchup angles and pricing.
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Columbus Blue Jackets vs New Jersey Devils Odds
These are the current betting odds for Tuesday’s game. As always, keep tabs on the latest NHL odds as goalie confirmations and injury news can drive sharp movement.
| Team | Puck Line |
|---|---|
| Columbus Blue Jackets | +1.5 (-249) |
| New Jersey Devils | -1.5 (+199) |
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Form
The Blue Jackets remain one of the league’s worst teams by record, but they’ve been more competitive lately. They’ve covered the puck line in five of their last seven and are getting some reliable scoring from Johnny Gaudreau and Boone Jenner. Cole Sillinger has also found another gear offensively. Still, defensive lapses haunt this group — they’ve allowed 4+ goals in six of their last eight games.
Goaltending remains inconsistent. Daniil Tarasov and Elvis Merzlikins have both been below league average in high-danger save percentage, and neither has locked down the starter role. The penalty kill sits bottom five, and the team is one of the most penalized in the league — a bad combination.
That said, Columbus is still fighting. They’ve scored at least three goals in five of their last six games, and that helps keep them inside puck line numbers. In underdog spots like this one, that’s what matters most. They’ve also played six straight games to OT or within one goal, so +1.5 bettors are live again.
You can view full Columbus Blue Jackets stats and results to monitor those trends. Always check the Columbus Blue Jackets injury report for any late scratches that could affect betting edges.
New Jersey Devils Betting Form
New Jersey is still talented enough to scare teams, but they’ve lacked consistency in all three phases. They just went 2–2 on the road, losing to Edmonton and Calgary, then bouncing back against the Canucks. Jack Hughes remains out, which limits their top-end firepower, but Jesper Bratt and Tyler Toffoli have stepped up. Timo Meier is showing signs of heating up too.
The bigger concern is in net. Vitek Vanecek has been pulled in two of his last five starts, and Nico Daws is still finding his NHL footing. The Devils are allowing far too many soft goals — even in games where they dominate possession. That’s kept weaker teams hanging around.
At home, New Jersey has struggled as favorites. They’re just 3–6 ATS in their last nine games at Prudential Center and often start slow — a key angle for 1P bettors. The offense can explode, but it’s often feast or famine, and they’ve been burned repeatedly by third-period breakdowns.
For more insight, check the New Jersey Devils schedule and stats, and be sure to monitor the New Jersey Devils injury report as Hughes and others could still be questionable.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs New Jersey Devils Matchup Breakdown
This is a pure mismatch on paper — the Devils are faster, deeper, and in must-win mode. But that doesn’t mean they’re a safe bet. Columbus has been a thorn lately, especially for puck line bettors. The Jackets keep games tight and score just enough to spoil multi-goal margins.
New Jersey’s pace should control the game. Their 5-on-5 shot share and expected goals remain strong, and their top six should eat against Columbus’s bottom-pair defenders. But their goaltending invites risk. The Blue Jackets don’t need to generate 40 shots — they just need to bury chances when they come.
Special teams also lean Devils. Their power play ranks top 10 in the NHL, while Columbus is bottom five on the PK. If the Jackets can stay out of the box, they’ll hang. But if they give New Jersey four or five chances, they’ll get burned.
Schedule-wise, Columbus is in a bit of a rest disadvantage, but not severely. The Devils are returning from a long road trip — sometimes teams are sluggish in those first games back. That makes the first period interesting.
Matchup keys:
- New Jersey PP (9th) vs Columbus PK (28th)
- Jackets have 6 straight 1-goal games
- Devils 3–6 ATS last 9 home games
- Goalie uncertainty on both sides
Want to learn how to use goalie splits and period-based angles for edges? Our sports betting strategy guide dives into betting derivatives like 1P moneylines and team totals.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs New Jersey Devils Predictions and Best Bets
There’s almost no chance I lay -1.5 with New Jersey at +199. Yes, the matchup favors them. But their goaltending is too unstable and Columbus plays just tight enough to make that dangerous. The moneyline will be steep — maybe -250 or worse — so the puck line is where we have to evaluate risk vs value.
And right now, the value is with the dog. Columbus +1.5 at -249 is expensive but playable in parlays. If you’re betting it straight, it’s a lean — not a hammer. They’ve shown enough grit to trust they won’t get blown out unless they implode on the penalty kill.
I’d also lean 1P Over if the total opens at 1.5 with plus money. Both teams allow early goals, and the Jackets have been scoring in the first 10 minutes with surprising regularity. If the game total opens at 6.5 or higher, I might look at the Under — especially if Daws starts and the Jackets can’t finish.
Still, the safest angle is protecting against a Devils collapse, which we’ve seen a lot lately.
Best Bet: Columbus Blue Jackets +1.5 (-249).
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