NHL Blue Jackets vs Utah HC Picks and Odds | January 31, 2025

Written by: Nick Zanghi

Published: Thu Jan 30, 2025, 11:44 pm ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

nhl

FINAL

Columbus Blue Jackets

Utah-Utah Hockey Club

See Picks & Statistics For The Game

We have a fun game on our hands from 2 teams playing better than expected. The Columbus Blue Jackets will head out West to take on the Utah HC. This will be the 1st time these 2 teams play each other we have you covered for Blue Jackets vs Utah HC picks.

The Utah HC is 21-21-8 so far and 6th in the Central Division. They're currently on a 3-game losing streak and are 4-5-1 in their last 10 games. Utah is only 8-11-5 at home this season but still making their new barn a home.

Utah had a nice start to the season but has since leveled out. They're 22nd in the league for goals scored and 21st in shots on goal per game. Their power play is middle of the road ranking 13th and are 20th for shooting percentage.

Defensively, they can hold their own. They rank 15th in the league for goals allowed and 17th in the league for shots on goal allowed per game. Utah has a good penalty kill, ranking 7th, but commit too many penalties, averaging 5 per game.

Goaltender Karel Vejmelka is confirmed to start. He is 11-14-3 with a 2.47 GAA and a .912 save percentage. This will be the first time he sees this Lumbus (shout out Betzky), so should be a good game.

Columbus looks to get another win vs this young Utah team

Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski skates during warmups.

The Jackets are sitting in a nice spot. They're 24-19-7 and 4th in the Metro Division. They've been hot as of late, going 7-2-1 in their last 10 games as well as coming in off a win Saturday night.

Columbus struggles on the road with a 7-14-4 record. Their offense has been playing great this year. They rank 7th in goals scored and 9th in shots on goal per game. Their power play ranks 12th in the league, and they have a 11.2% shooting percentage.

On defense, they are having their problems. They rank towards the bottom of the league for goals allowed and shots on goal allowed per game. Their penalty kill isn't very good either and they're averaging 4 penalties per game.

In net, Daniil Tarasov is expected. He is 4-7-2 with a 3.83 GAA and .871 save percentage. Tarasov has been more than leaky this season and Utah will look to take advantage of that. Let's check out the odds and get into the picks.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Utah HC Betting Odds and Game Information

Blue Jackets vs Utah HC Betting Odds

Puck Line

Columbus Blue Jackets +1.5 (-168)
Utah Hockey Club -1.5 (+136)

Moneyline

Columbus Blue Jackets +146
Utah Hockey Club -178

Totals

Over 6.5 (-110)
Under 6.5 (-110)

Odds courtesy of BetOnline – Get 50% up to $1000 on your first deposit

Blue Jackets vs Utah HC Game Information

Venue: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Date: Friday January 31, 2025
Puck Drop: 9pm EST
TV: Utah16, FDSOH

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Utah HC Prediction and Picks

Utah HC forward Logan Cooley prepares to take the faceoff.

Blue Jackets vs Utah HC Picks and Predictions: Game Total Over 6.5 Goals (-110) Get 50% up to $1000 Deposit on BetOnline for this pick

I like for this to be a fun game and one thing that'll make it fun is goals. We should see a good number of goals and probably more from Utah. Tarasov has a really high GAA and Vejmelka will be good for 1 or 2.

As long as the scoring starts early, which I think it does, then we see like 8-9 goals total. I like for Clayton Keller to get 3 shots on goal or more and to record an assist. Keller, the team captain, has been having a good year with 18 goals and 36 assists.

Another play I like is Vejmelka over saves. With how well the Jackets shoot and average 30 per game, Vejmelka's line should be around 27-28 and I think he clears that. Columbus should be shooting plenty as I think we have a very good back and forth game offensively.