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Game Preview Columbus Blue Jackets @ Vegas Golden Knights
The Columbus Blue Jackets travel to T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, December 13, 2025, to take on the Vegas Golden Knights in a cross-conference matchup with lopsided expectations. Columbus remains one of the weakest teams in the Eastern Conference, while Vegas is once again playing like a top-tier Western Conference contender.
The Golden Knights are 18-9-2 entering this contest, boasting one of the league’s best home records and a dominant defensive structure. The Blue Jackets, sitting at 9-18-3, have shown flashes of offensive potential but continue to struggle with consistency, goaltending, and special teams.
While Vegas is a heavy favorite in this game, there’s plenty of betting value in the puck line, total, and first-period markets. Bettors should consider the recent form of both teams, especially with Columbus on a tough road swing. For odds, line movement, and public splits, visit the full NHL scores and odds section.
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Columbus Blue Jackets Outlook
The Blue Jackets remain in rebuild mode and have not found answers defensively. With a record of 9-18-3, Columbus is tied for last in the Eastern Conference and ranks 30th in goals allowed per game at 3.72. Their penalty kill is among the league’s worst at just 74 percent, and their goaltending tandem of Elvis Merzlikins and Daniil Tarasov has combined for a save percentage under .890.
Despite the struggles, the Jackets have some offensive weapons. Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine are still capable of elite playmaking and scoring when given time and space. Adam Fantilli has added speed and youth to the top six, and the power play is slowly climbing toward league average at 18.3 percent.
Still, road games have been brutal for Columbus. They are just 3-11-1 away from Nationwide Arena this season and have covered the puck line in only four of those contests. The Jackets are also 1-7 in their last eight against Western Conference teams and 0-4 in their last four against Pacific Division opponents.
Columbus is consistently giving up the first goal, and that puts a fragile roster on its heels from the start. For deeper performance data and divisional comparisons, visit the NHL Metropolitan Division preview.
Vegas Golden Knights Outlook
The Golden Knights are the reigning Stanley Cup champions and continue to play like a veteran group built for long-term success. At 18-9-2, Vegas is near the top of the Pacific Division and holds a 10-3-1 home record heading into this game. They’ve won four of their last five games and are dominating in puck possession, defensive metrics, and special teams efficiency.
The offense is deep and balanced. Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Jonathan Marchessault lead the way, with all three producing at a point-per-game pace over the last ten games. Vegas ranks sixth in goals per game and ninth in power play conversion rate at 24.7 percent. Their penalty kill is also inside the league’s top ten, neutralizing 84 percent of opponent chances.
Goaltender Adin Hill has continued to build on last year’s breakout season, posting a .921 save percentage and a 2.25 goals-against average. The Golden Knights have also been excellent in protecting the lead, going 13-1 when leading after two periods.
Vegas has been especially strong as a puck line favorite at home, covering in eight of their ten wins at T-Mobile Arena this season. For more on Vegas’ division odds and playoff outlook, check the updated Pacific Division betting forecast.
Key Matchup
The most critical advantage in this game lies in Vegas’s aggressive forecheck and Columbus’s inability to cleanly exit the defensive zone. The Blue Jackets average nearly 14 turnovers per game, and Vegas thrives on converting those into rush chances and extended zone pressure.
Special teams are another major gap. Vegas has scored at least one power play goal in six of its last eight games, while Columbus’s penalty kill has allowed a goal in seven of its last ten. If the Golden Knights get even two or three chances on the man advantage, the odds of a multi-goal swing are high.
This is a mismatch not only in talent but in system and execution. Columbus ranks near the bottom in expected goals against, and Vegas is top five in expected goals differential. For sharp matchup breakdowns like this, visit the full NHL expert betting guide.
Betting Trends
Columbus is just 2-8 in its last ten games and 1-5 against the puck line during that stretch. The Blue Jackets are also 1-6 in their last seven road games and have given up four or more goals in five of those contests.
Vegas is 7-3 in its last ten overall and 8-2 on home ice in that span. The Golden Knights are also 6-2 against the puck line in their last eight games as a favorite of -200 or higher. The under has hit in four of Vegas’s last six, but Columbus’s leaky defense may shift that trend.
The Golden Knights have won each of their last three meetings with Columbus by two or more goals, outscoring them 13-5. For more betting trend breakdowns, visit the NHL picks and predictions section.
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Prediction
This game heavily favors Vegas in every measurable category. They have more scoring depth, better special teams, elite goaltending, and are nearly unbeatable at home. Columbus may generate a goal or two from top-line talent, but the defensive breakdowns and poor PK metrics suggest another one-sided loss.
Look for Vegas to control the puck from the outset and stretch the lead in the second and third periods. The puck line holds strong value in this spot, and props involving Eichel and Marchessault are worth considering.
Final score prediction: Vegas Golden Knights 5, Columbus Blue Jackets 2
Best bet: Golden Knights -1.5 puck line
Total lean: Over 6.0 goals
Why You Need Expert Picks
High-moneyline favorites like Vegas often push bettors toward alternate puck lines and prop plays. But knowing when to trust a heavy favorite or fade public money requires sharp insight, especially in a cross-conference mismatch like this one.
Get expert predictions, prop edges, and betting models at the NHL picks section. For season-long futures and playoff outlooks, explore Stanley Cup odds and NHL conference predictions.
Track the top-performing NHL bettors this month on the Handicappers Leaderboard and get the edge that wins.
