Columbus Blue Jackets vs St. Louis Blues Picks and Predictions November 1st 2025

Game Preview St. Louis Blues @ Columbus Blue Jackets

The St. Louis Blues visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday at Nationwide Arena in a battle between two franchises trending in opposite directions. Columbus enters on a three-game win streak and has taken five of its last six, while St. Louis arrives winless in six (0-4-2).

The Blue Jackets’ balanced scoring attack has become a major storyline in the early season. Eleven different players have scored multiple goals through ten games, with Kirill Marchenko and Dmitri Voronkov leading the team at five each. The emergence of the Sillinger-Coyle-Olivier line, which combined for 11 points in the 6-3 win over Toronto, has fueled their surge.

St. Louis, meanwhile, continues to unravel defensively. The Blues rank near the bottom of the league in goals-against average (4.27) and are still searching for confidence amid a string of injuries. Goaltending inconsistency and costly turnovers have defined their recent slide.

This matchup underscores a key concept from sports betting strategies to win big — spotting early-season momentum swings before oddsmakers fully adjust.

Line Movement and Odds

Columbus opened as -139 home favorites, with the Blues listed at +116. The total is 6.5 goals (Over -106, Under -113).

The number reflects confidence in Columbus’ consistency and home-ice form. Bettors have also noted St. Louis’ 7-2 record to the Over this season, the product of poor defensive structure and high shot volume. Those angles mirror findings in Stanley Cup odds and predictions, where teams with weak defensive analytics often drive totals upward even during losing streaks.

The Blue Jackets’ power play efficiency and goaltending stability make them a favorite that still offers value under -150 — an important metric when comparing mid-tier NHL matchups.

St. Louis Blues Outlook

The Blues’ 3-7-2 start highlights both roster holes and execution gaps. Their 39-shot effort in Thursday’s 4-3 shootout loss to Vancouver was an improvement, yet it reinforced a troubling theme: wasted chances.

Coach Jim Montgomery praised the improved offensive zone time but admitted the club’s “game management” remains a problem. Without Robert Thomas and Jake Neighbours, St. Louis recalled top prospect Dalibor Dvorsky, who impressed in limited minutes.

Jordan Kyrou and Jimmy Snuggerud have provided spark offensively, but the team’s collective defense remains fragile. Goalie Jordan Binnington (3.21 GAA) has faced constant pressure due to the team’s 15th-ranked penalty kill. This type of imbalance matches trends explored in the concise guide to hockey betting: skilled offenses often lose betting value when paired with unstable blue lines.

St. Louis Blues Injury Report

Zach Dean – Out (Personal)
Torey Krug – Out (Ankle)
Jake Neighbours – Out (Leg)
Robert Thomas – Questionable (Upper Body)

Columbus Blue Jackets Outlook

Columbus has evolved into one of the league’s most complete mid-tier squads. The Blue Jackets’ 6-4-0 record includes wins over Toronto, Florida, and New Jersey — a trio of playoff-caliber opponents.

Their offensive depth has been pivotal. Marchenko, Voronkov, and Coyle lead the charge, but contributions from all four lines have allowed coach Dean Evason to roll fresh skaters consistently. Columbus ranks 11th in total goals and continues to drive play with physicality and forechecking pressure.

Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins has been outstanding, posting four wins in five starts with 299 total saves. His form and Columbus’ defensive buy-in at even strength mirror the steady frameworks discussed in futures betting pros and cons: teams building quietly around sustainable metrics often become profitable before the market adjusts.

Columbus Blue Jackets Injury Report

Erik Gudbranson – Questionable (Upper Body)
Luca Marrelli – Out (Shoulder)

Key Matchup / Path to Victory

The matchup boils down to Columbus’ pace and depth versus St. Louis’ defensive breakdowns. The Blue Jackets’ ability to roll four productive lines can stretch a thin Blues defense missing two starters.

For St. Louis to compete, they must improve at closing down the slot and limiting second-chance rebounds. Columbus, meanwhile, will look to replicate the aggressive forecheck and quick puck movement that dismantled Toronto.

This scenario fits the tactical pattern described in Pacific Division Odds & Predictions: in parity-driven leagues, structure and goaltending discipline often decide outcomes more than star talent.

Betting Trends

St. Louis – 0-6 last six games (0%)
St. Louis – Over in seven of last nine games (77%)
Columbus – Won five of last six games (83%)
Columbus – 2-0 straight up as favorites (100%)
Columbus – 5-3 puckline record overall (63%)

With St. Louis struggling on the road and Columbus excelling in close games, the Blue Jackets’ value lies in short moneyline odds. Managing exposure, as outlined in what is a unit in betting, is key when backing favorites in streak-dependent spots.

Best NHL Handicappers and Betting Insights

Top cappers on the Handicappers Leaderboard have labeled Columbus as a “momentum-side” play this weekend. Their depth scoring, defensive poise, and goaltending edge align with several predictive models emphasizing puck-possession metrics.

The NHL expert betting guide further highlights teams like Columbus that dominate expected-goal share while maintaining low penalty minutes — hallmarks of sustained profitability across midseason trends.

St. Louis remains a dangerous offensive team, but with goaltending instability and missing key forwards, the handicappers’ consensus leans firmly toward the Blue Jackets.

Prediction

The Blue Jackets’ balanced scoring and defensive stability make them the superior side against a fading Blues roster. Expect Columbus to maintain offensive pressure through all four lines and exploit St. Louis’ weak neutral-zone coverage.

Projected Score: Columbus Blue Jackets 4, St. Louis Blues 3
Best Bet: Blue Jackets Moneyline (-139)
Total Lean: Over 6.5 (-106)