The Columbus Blue Jackets welcome the Colorado Avalanche to Nationwide Arena Thursday night in what promises to be an offensive showcase, with both teams averaging over three goals per game this season.
Columbus, struggling defensively and allowing 3.36 goals per game, will need Kirill Marchenko and Kent Johnson to continue their scoring prowess if they hope to overcome Colorado's balanced attack led by superstar Nathan MacKinnon and defensive phenom Cale Makar.
The playoff-hopeful Blue Jackets will need to capitalize on home ice advantage against an Avalanche squad that's been nearly unstoppable with their league-leading power play and suffocating defense that's holding opponents to just 2.77 goals per game.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Colorado Avalanche prediction: who will win?
For tonight's Columbus Blue Jackets vs Colorado Avalanche matchup, our predictive model gives the Avs a 82.5% chance of defeating the Blue Jackets.
Colorado Avalanche: 82.5% win probability
- Superior offensive firepower (254 goals scored this season, ranking among the league's top teams)
- Strong position in the standings (4th in Western Conference with 96 points in 76 games)
- Excellent recent form (3-2-0 in last five games with WLLWW record, showing momentum)
Columbus Blue Jackets: 17.5% win probability
- Defensive struggles (246 goals allowed, among the highest in the Eastern Conference)
- Lower standing position (10th in Eastern Conference with 77 points in 73 games)
- Goal differential issues (-4 goal differential, indicating an inability to outscore opponents consistently)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model combines insights from top NHL experts. Instead of sifting through hundreds of expert analyses across the web, you can rely on our predictions to understand the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing predictions, data, and opinions, and our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. We then average these levels to produce an 'expert opinion' win probability—reflecting the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NHL experts.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Colorado Avalanche odds
Here are the latest odds for the NHL matchup between the Colorado Avalanche visiting the Columbus Blue Jackets at home on Thursday, April 03.
| Columbus Blue Jackets | Colorado Avalanche | |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | +136 (via DraftKings Sportsbook) | -156 (via FanDuel Sportsbook) |
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Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Colorado Avalanche preview
The Avalanche roll into Nationwide Arena tonight with offensive firepower that's been terrorizing opponents, averaging 3.32 goals per game behind Nathan MacKinnon's elite playmaking and Cale Makar's remarkable 28-goal contribution from the blue line.
Columbus, desperate to keep their playoff hopes alive, brings their own scoring punch led by young talents Kirill Marchenko and Kent Johnson, who've combined for an impressive 53 goals this season.
While both teams can light the lamp, their defensive situations couldn't be more different – Colorado's stingy 2.77 goals-against average contrasts sharply with Columbus's leaky 3.36 mark.
The goaltending battle tells the same story: Avalanche netminder MacKenzie Blackwood has been a wall with a .919 save percentage, while Elvis Merzlikins has struggled between the pipes for the Jackets.
You gotta think Colorado smells blood in the water against a Columbus team that's dropped seven of their last ten games.
Look for the Blue Jackets to feed off their home crowd and push the tempo early – they've scored 21 goals across their last four contests and won't be going down without a fight.
This matchup has all the makings of a high-scoring affair with two offenses that can create chances in bunches.
If Columbus has any shot at the upset, they'll need Werenski to quarterback a power play that must capitalize against an Avalanche penalty kill that's been far from perfect this season.
Key stats
- 1Colorado (4th in Western Conference) has 96 points from 76 games compared to Columbus (10th in Eastern Conference) with 77 points from 73 games
- 2The Avalanche have a better goal difference (+41) than the Blue Jackets (-4)
- 3Columbus has a strong recent form (WLWWL) against Colorado's mixed results (WLLWW)
- 4Columbus scores more goals per game (3.32) than Colorado (3.34) but also concedes more (3.37 vs 2.80)
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Colorado Avalanche form
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Colorado Avalanche head to head
Columbus Blue Jackets
50%
Colorado Avalanche
50%
Oct 13, 2024
Colorado Avalanche
4 : 6
Columbus Blue Jackets
Apr 1, 2024
Columbus Blue Jackets
4 : 1
Colorado Avalanche
Mar 23, 2024
Colorado Avalanche
6 : 1
Columbus Blue Jackets
Nov 5, 2022
Columbus Blue Jackets
1 : 5
Colorado Avalanche
Nov 4, 2022
Colorado Avalanche
6 : 3
Columbus Blue Jackets
Nov 6, 2021
Columbus Blue Jackets
4 : 2
Colorado Avalanche
