Our NHL betting expert gives his pick and prediction for the Coyotes vs. Blue Jackets today at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
There are a few terrific games on Tuesday night’s 10-game NHL slate, including the Colorado Avalanche at Rangers and Flames at the Penguins. But the real headliner is taking place in Columbus, where the Blue Jackets are hosting the Arizona Coyotes in what will almost certainly be a ratings bonanza.
Coyotes vs. Blue Jackets prediction: Coyotes +190 (BetMGM)
The Coyotes have every chance to be one of the worst teams in the NHL’s Salary Cap Era. Arizona is clearly embracing the tank in a year with one of the best draft classes the league has ever seen, but that doesn’t mean bettors should draw a line through the Coyotes and never bet on them.
Case in point: Arizona pulled off the third-biggest upset in the Action Network database (which goes back to 2005-06) with its win in Toronto last week. The Coyotes closed as a +425 underdog before shocking the Leafs. Sometimes the price on the Desert Dogs will cross a threshold where it would almost be irresponsible NOT to bet on them.Â
We may have one of those situations on Tuesday night in Columbus, Ohio.
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Arizona Coyotes vs. Columbus Blue Jackets odds (BetMGM)
- Coyotes: +190
- Blue Jackets: -230
- Over/Under: 6.5
While Arizona’s price is not even close to the +425 we saw last week in Toronto, getting +190 to go against the Columbus Blue Jackets is absolutely worth consideration.
Despite earning a 5-1 win on Sunday against the Rangers, the Blue Jackets have not been an impressive bunch out of the gates. The knock on Columbus before the season was that the defense would likely hold the Jackets back. That has shown up through the first seven games of the campaign as the Blue Jackets have conceded 27 goals (3.86 per game) and rank 31st in shot attempts allowed per 60 minutes at 5-on-5, 25th in expected goals allowed, and 17th in high-danger scoring chances surrendered.
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Arizona’s offense is terrible, but the Coyotes should be able to generate some scoring chances against a leaky defense playing in front of some suspect goaltenders.
The Blue Jackets’ offense, led by Johnny Gaudreau, is certainly capable of posting a crooked number against Arizona’s terrible defense. Still, unlike against other teams, the Coyotes should have a realistic chance of keeping up in this matchup.
That’s all you’re asking of an underdog at this price.
Coyotes vs. Blue Jackets pick
Coyotes +190 (BetMGM)