The Red Wings and Blue Jackets head outdoors for the 2025 Stadium Series on Saturday, and our NHL picks expect a ton of goalscoring action.
This article contains predictions for an old game!
The Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets are set to face off outdoors at Ohio Stadium — home of the Ohio State football — for the 2025 Stadium Series.
The Blue Jackets got the best of the Red Wings on February 27, and the hardest thing to do in the NHL is beat the same team twice in a row. Both teams have been playing good hockey and today might be the perfect revenge game for Detroit.
Read my Red Wings vs. Blue Jackets predictions and NHL picks below to see why I’m targeting the Over.
My best bet
Over 6.5 (+100 at FanDuel)
My analysis
The Detroit Red Wings are 2-1-1 since returning from the 4 Nations break and their power play has been on absolute fire, converting on six of their 13 attempts over the four games.
Defensively, the Red Wings still need to clean things up a bit, but it does help that they’re scoring goals. The team averages 3.25 goals per game, and Alex DeBrincat, Patrick Kane, J.T. Compher, and Lucas Raymond have all produced at a point per game since the return.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have also been on fire since returning to action, skating to a perfect 3-0-0 record, and scoring 5.33 goals per game, which is tied for the lead in the NHL. Kirill Marchenko and Kent Johnson each have three goals and two assists in those three games while Boone Jenner, Adam Fantilli, Dmitri Voronkov, James van Riemsdyk, and Zach Werenski have each produced at a point-per-game rate.
The goalie matchup will be Cam Talbot for Detroit and Elvis Merzlikins for Columbus. Talbot is 1-1-1 post break, but his numbers have not been pretty. He’s allowing 3.32 goals against per game and has skated to a .891 save percentage. On the flip side, Merzlikins is 2-0-0, but is skating to a .900 SV% with a 2.50 GAA.
Defensively, both teams allow some quality chances at 5-on-5, which says this contest should be very back and forth, with both teams trading chances. The Blue Jackets surrender 11.86 high-danger chances per game at even strength, which is the sixth most in the NHL, and the Red Wings allow the 11th most, giving up 11 high-danger chances per 60.
This should be a thrilling contest, especially due to the outdoor elements.
Over 6.5
Blue Jackets moneyline
Kirill Marchenko 1+ points
Detroit will seek revenge tonight, but Columbus has been more consistent this season. Plus, they’re celebrating the first outdoor game in franchise history so the team will be fired up. Columbus has the goaltending advantage and the stronger blue line in this game, so I trust them more.
Kirill Marchenko has registered a point in 15 of his last 17 games and has points in all three of his games post 4 Nations. If there were a most improved NHL player award, he would have my vote this season. He’s rounded out his 200-foot game and is becoming an elite player in the NHL. Target him with your Red Wings vs. Blue Jackets prop picks.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
The Over has cashed in four of Detroit’s last five games and three of the last four for Columbus. Find more NHL betting trends for Red Wings vs. Blue Jackets.
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Jonny Lazarus has loved hockey for as long as he can remember. After his Division I playing career at UMass-Amherst and Mercyhurst University came to an end in 2020, he transitioned from being a player to working in the media. He might be young in his career, but he has made appearances in numerous places like the NHL, and Bleacher Report, and this season he will be doing color commentary for a selection of UMass-Amherst hockey games.
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