NHL Stadium Series: Red Wings vs Blue Jackets Picks and Odds

Written by: Nick Zanghi

Published: Sat Mar 01, 2025, 12:03 pm ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

nhl

FINAL

Detroit Red Wings

Columbus Blue Jackets

See Picks & Statistics For The Game

It's that time of year and the NHL Stadium Series is upon us. The Detroit Red Wings will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Ohio Stadium in Columbus. This is actually the 2nd game of a back-to-back between these 2 and the Jackets just won 5-2. Let's check out the teams and then get into Red Wings vs Blue Jackets picks.

Columbus is having a great year. Their 29-22-8 record has surprises most and puts them 4th in the Metro Division. They come into this game on a 3-game winning streak since returning from break. The Jackets are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games and are 19-6-4 at home. We'll count this game as home since it's their home state.

Defenseman Zach Werenski has been leading this team. He just led the 4 Nations Face Off in points with 6. He has 18 goals and 44 assists this season to lead his team in assists and points. We all know this team in playing with a heavy heart and for Johnny Hockey this season.

Unfortunately, the Jackets defense isn't the best. They rank in the bottom of the league for goals allowed and shots on goal allowed per game. On the penalty kill, they in the bottom of the league as well and it doesn't help committing around 4 penalties per game.

Goalie Elvis Merzlikins is expected in net tonight. His record is 21-14-4 this season with a 2.96 HAA and a .895 save percentage. Merzlikins did not face the Red Wings the other night, so he'll be fresh for this game.

Detroit looks to win its 2nd Stadium Series Game

Red Wings goalie Alex Lyon skates and takes in the open ice.

The Wings are 30-23-6 this season and 4th in the Atlantic Division. They may have just come off a loss, but they're 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. Detroit is decent on the road with an above .500 record of 14-10-3.

Their offense on paper isn't the best, but they can compete. Detroit is 17th in goals scored and 26th in shots on goal per game. They have the 2nd best power play in the league, converting 29% of the time. Even though the rank 26th in shots, their shooting percentage is 12th in the league.

The team is not good defensively at all. They rank 22nd in goals allowed and 23rd in shots on goal allowed per game. The Wings have the worst penalty kill in the league, so luckily, they only average 3 penalties per game.

Goaltender Cam Talbot has been confirmed to start. He is 17-12-3 with a 2.89 GAA and a .904 save percentage. Talbot did just start against the Jackets allowing 4 goals on 29 shots. Let's check out the odds and get into the picks.

Detroit Red Wings vs Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Odds and Game Information

Red Wings vs Blue Jackets Betting Odds

Puck Line

Detroit Red Wings -1.5 (+200)
Columbus Blue Jackets +1.5 (-275)

Moneyline

Detroit Red Wings -110
Columbus Blue Jackets -110

Totals

Over 6.5 (+100)
Under 6.5 (-120)

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

Red Wings vs Blue Jackets Game Information

Venue: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
Date: Saturday March 1, 2025
Puck Drop: 6pm EST
TV: ESPN

Detroit Red Wings vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction and Picks

Detroit forward Alex DeBrincat tries to gain control of the puck from the Columbus defender.

Red Wings vs Blue Jackets Picks and Predictions: Columbus Blue Jackets Moneyline (-110) Get 50% up to $1000 Deposit on BetOnline for this pick

I like for Columbus to keep winning here. These 2 teams just saw each other and the Jackets looked great. This atmosphere isn't something you get to play in all the time, so I expect all the players to be fire up.

The Jackets have been so sneaky good that I think this big stage is a great opportunity to remind people who they are. The loss of Johnny Hockey has really fueled this team, and they are playing for the family. The Gaudreau family will be in attendance and will lead the team out of the tunnel.

I like Werenski is coming off a stinker, so I like him to bounce back. He already showed us he can show out on a big stage. I like for him to record 3 or more shots on goal and record at least 1 point for +116. Werenski dominates against the Wings, with 8 shots on goal games as well as multiple 3-point games.

The other play I have is I kind of lean with the under here. Sometimes these ODR's can be much different than the ice in the arenas. They can be much choppier than the ice they normally play. It makes me lean the under, but not sure if I'm going to play it as there is good value on CBJ moneyline.