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Looking for Anaheim Ducks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets free NHL predictions? NHL betting sees the Ducks taking on the Blue Jackets on 12/16 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus. This free NHL pick is based on matchup analysis and documented handicapping data tracked by CappersPicks since 2004, with a focus on identifying the strongest betting angle for this Ducks Blue Jackets matchup.
(20-12) Anaheim Ducks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (13-13)
Date: Dec 16, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH
NHL Moneyline Odds: Ducks +119 | Blue Jackets -142 (Bet Now!)
Today’s NHL Puck Line Betting Odds: Ducks +1.5 | Blue Jackets -1.5
NHL Hockey Gambling Total: O/U: 6.5
Here’s why I’m backing an OVER bet below in my Ducks Blue Jackets free pick & gambling prediction for this matchup.
Tonight, the Anaheim Ducks head to Nationwide Arena to face the Columbus Blue Jackets in an NHL regular season matchup that quietly has some betting intrigue. Anaheim, coached by Joel Quenneville, brings in a strong 20-12-1 record and sits comfortably second in the Western Pacific.
Columbus, under Dean Evason, checks in at 13-13-6 and eighth in the Eastern Metro, which is about as “treading water” as it sounds.
The Ducks have been a little hot-and-cold lately, but the upside is obvious. They’re coming off a clean 4-1 win over the New York Rangers, with Cutter Gauthier burying two goals and reminding everyone why Anaheim’s offense is taken seriously.
Losses to the Devils and Islanders still linger, but with contributors like Ryan Poehling and Jackson LaCombe chipping in, this team rarely looks lost for long.
Columbus, meanwhile, is searching for answers. A tight 3-2 loss to the Golden Knights summed up their recent stretch: competitive, but still on the wrong side of the result.
The Blue Jackets have struggled badly within the division at 2-8, and while players like Charlie Coyle and Yegor Chinakhov are doing their part, moral victories don’t move the standings.
Historically, Anaheim has enjoyed this matchup, sweeping Columbus last season.
That said, desperation can be a dangerous thing, and the Jackets will see this as a chance to stop the bleeding at home. Puck drops at 7:00 PM on ESPN+.
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2025 NHL Hockey Handicapping
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Oddsmakers are giving the home team the respect here, installing Columbus as a -142 favorite. Anaheim sits at +119, which will catch the eye of anyone willing to back the more consistent club on the road.
The puck line suggests a tight game, with Ducks +1.5 (-204) and Jackets -1.5 (+167).
Anaheim’s recent form has been uneven, but the highs matter. That win over the Rangers showed how dangerous they can be when the offense clicks, especially with Gauthier leading the charge. The losses to New Jersey and New York were ugly, but they haven’t derailed the bigger picture.
Columbus continues to grind through a rough stretch, dropping another close one to Vegas. They’re playing hard, but hard doesn’t always cash tickets.
Home ice might help, but they’ll need more finish if they want to justify the favorite tag.
We want to hear from you below! Comments are welcome! Give us your picks for this Anaheim Ducks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets NHL matchup.
Right now, Columbus is stuck in the kind of slump bettors learn to respect. Five straight losses, including that 3-2 defeat to Vegas, and too many games where one bad stretch sinks the whole night.
Giving up six goals to Ottawa didn’t help the confidence either.
There are still bright spots. Zach Werenski leads the way with 33 points on nine goals and 24 assists, while Dmitri Voronkov has quietly chipped in 22 points of his own. The talent isn’t absent, it’s just been inconsistent.
From a numbers standpoint, Columbus fires the puck plenty, ranking seventh in shots on goal. Unfortunately, they’re 20th in goals against, which explains why those shot totals don’t always translate into wins. Elvis Merzlikins has been busy, posting 362 saves in 13 games, with Jet Greaves also seeing time in net.
If the Blue Jackets want to flip the script, it starts with tightening things up defensively and getting more out of their power play.
The effort is there, the results… not so much.
Anaheim’s offense has been the real calling card. They rank second in the league with 114 goals and third in assists at 196, while sitting near the top in shots on goal.
When this team gets rolling, goalies don’t get many breathers.
Recent results have been a reminder of both ends of the spectrum. The 4-1 win over the Rangers was sharp and controlled, while the losses to the Devils and Islanders showed what happens when defensive lapses pile up. Cutter Gauthier and Leo Carlsson continue to drive the attack and give Anaheim scoring depth most teams envy.
In net, Ville Husso has had his moments, including a massive 44-save effort against Pittsburgh. There still hasn’t been a shutout this season, but Lukas Dostal’s 12 wins provide stability when games get loose.
Physically, the Ducks hold their own, ranking middle-of-the-pack in hits and blocks.
It’s not flashy, but it’s enough to support their high-powered offense when things get scrappy.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets bottom line: Anaheim brings the firepower and the better resume, while Columbus brings urgency at home, making this a classic spot where talent battles desperation.
Here is my Ducks Blue Jackets free pick: Columbus continues to leak goals, dropping five straight games with four of those losses coming by multiple goals. Their defensive gaps have turned recent games into track meets.
Also, scoring has followed closely behind those breakdowns, with three of the last five Blue Jackets games sailing past the total. Once things start going sideways for them, it rarely slows down.
Anaheim enters in better rhythm, winning three of their last five while flashing real finishing touch. Two of those wins came by three or more goals, which speaks to how comfortable they’ve been pushing the pace.
When one team can’t defend and the other is scoring freely, the total usually becomes the story.
In fact, the Ducks have also seen three of their last five games go over, and their offense looks confident creating chances off the rush. They’re not sitting back when opportunities appear.
This matchup doesn’t project for much tightening up either. Both sides are more likely to trade looks than grind out a low-event game.
At the end of the day, Columbus hasn’t shown any ability to slow games down, and Anaheim is happy to lean into offense. My NHL read lands on Over 6.5, and I’m comfortable riding the goals in this spot.
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Ready for the holidays? @StingerCBJ is! ☃️
Get your photo with Santa Stinger at both games this week! Visit him before puck drop at sec. 117 for the perfect holiday photo! pic.twitter.com/yQTCaJJN1M
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) December 15, 2025
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Clinton returns for his second tour of duty at Cappers Picks Blog, he has been a sports handicapper for a few years now though. From the Pacific Northwest he brings you his knowledge of all things sports. Stay tuned he’ll be picking NFL, CFB, CBB and NBA games daily here on the blog.
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