<p>Join Daily Faceoff’s Andy MacNeil as he handicaps Friday’s matchup between the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/columbus-blue-jackets/line-combinations">Columbus Blue Jackets</a> and <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/utah-hockey-club/line-combinations">Utah Hockey Club</a>.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Blue Jackets vs. Utah Odds</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Columbus Blue Jackets Moneyline: +170</li>



<li>Utah Hockey Club Moneyline: -210</li>



<li>Puck Line: Blue Jackets +1.5 (-135), Utah -1.5 (+115)</li>



<li>Game Total: 6 (Over -110, Under -110)</li>
</ul>



<p><em>Game odds via Sports Interaction.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Handicapping the Blue Jackets (25-26 SU, 30-21 ATS, 30-20-1 O/U)</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/columbus-blue-jackets/news">Columbus</a> opened its four-game road trip with a 2-1 overtime win in Vegas on Thursday and now looks to pick up its third straight victory in Utah on Friday. This will be the first meeting of the season between the Blue Jackets and Utah Hockey Club, with a rematch set for Feb. 6 in Columbus.</p>



<p>The Blue Jackets currently hold the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of the Boston Bruins, with two games in hand. Columbus has been red hot since Dec. 19, going 13-4-2 overall and 4-3-2 on the road.</p>



<p>However, while the results have been impressive, the underlying numbers suggest this pace may be hard to sustain. Columbus ranks among the top 10 in goal share since Dec. 19 but sits 27th in expected goal share and 29th in shot attempt percentage over that span.</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="167"></div>



<p>Of course, if Elvis Merzlikins keeps up his strong play, anything is possible. According to Evolving Hockey, Merzlikins ranks eighth in goals saved above expected since Dec. 16. The problem is, he started Thursday’s game, and the team has struggled with backup Daniil Tarasov in net.</p>



<p>Tarasov has gone 4-7-2 this season with a 3.83 goals-against average and an .871 save percentage. The 25-year-old has just two wins in his last 11 starts.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Handicapping Utah (21-29 SU, 25-25 ATS, 19-27-4 O/U)</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/utah-hockey-club/news">Utah</a> kicked off its four-game homestand with its third straight loss, falling 3-2 in overtime to the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, the bigger concern is the team’s growing injury list. Center <a href="https://x.com/DFOFantasy/status/1885380545216983263">Logan Cooley</a> is now out indefinitely with a lower-body injury, adding to Utah’s troubles.</p>



<p>Winger Dylan Guenther, who has been sidelined since Jan. 8, has been upgraded to day-to-day and is nearing a return, but it’s unclear if he’ll be ready to play on Friday.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="148"></div>



<p>Without Cooley and Guenther, Utah will be missing two of its top three point producers, as they rank second and third on the team in points per game. That’s a significant blow for a team that already ranks 22nd in goals per 60 minutes this season—especially given that their defense has been merely average. Without their scoring punch, Utah could struggle to find success.</p>



<p>Karel Vejmelka is the team’s best hope for turning things around. He ranks seventh in goals saved above expected and 19th in save percentage this season. However, he has been fairly mediocre over the last month, winning just three of his last 11 starts.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best bet for Blue Jackets vs. Utah</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>3-Way result: Regular Time Tie (+360)</li>
</ul>



<p>Utah might have an edge in goal in this matchup, but with Cooley and Guenther both out of the lineup, the Blue Jackets’ offensive advantage should help keep this game closer than the odds suggest. Sure, Columbus will be tired after playing on Thursday, and the Blue Jackets aren’t fully healthy either, but they’ve done a better job sustaining their offense despite injuries than Utah has.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="2" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="174"></div>



<p>Additionally, Boone Jenner could make his season debut on Friday, though that’s just speculation at this point. Jenner practiced in a regular jersey for the first time earlier this week, but the team has been tight-lipped about his return date.</p>



<p><a href="https://app.actionnetwork.com/4zu6/chznhm6b"><em>Follow Andy’s hockey bets on the Action App!</em></a></p>
