Join Daily Faceoff’s Andy MacNeil as he handicaps Saturday’s Stadium Series matchup between the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets.
Red Wings vs. Blue Jackets Odds
- Detroit Red Wings Moneyline: -115
- Columbus Blue Jackets Moneyline: -105
- Puck Line: Red Wings -1.5 (+200), Blue Jackets -1.5 (-250)
- Game Total: 6 (Over -115, Under -105)
Game odds via Sports Interaction.
Handicapping the Red Wings (30-29 SU, 36-23 ATS, 29-26-4 O/U)
The stakes are higher for Saturday’s Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium after Detroit’s 5-2 loss to Columbus on Thursday. Both teams are now tied at 66 points, with the winner claiming sole possession of the first wild card spot.
Goaltender Cam Talbot struggled, allowing four goals on 15 shots in the second period after Detroit opened the scoring 27 seconds into the frame. Talbot has surrendered 17 goals in his last five games, posting an .872 save percentage and 3.40 goals against average. Alex Lyon could get the nod, going 6-1-1 with a 2.36 GAA and .912 save percentage since Dec. 27.
Detroit has scored more than three goals in just four of its last 15 games, but the power play remains red-hot. The Red Wings lead the league with a 38.2% power play success rate since Todd McLellan took over, scoring nine power play goals in their last six games.
Alex DeBrincat extended his point streak to eight games with a goal, giving him six goals and six assists since Feb. 1. He leads the team with 27 goals, including 14 in 25 games under McLellan, and ranks third on the team with 26 points during that stretch.
Handicapping the Blue Jackets (29-30 SU, 37-22 ATS, 34-23-2 O/U)
Columbus will aim for its fourth straight win on Saturday at Ohio Stadium in front of an estimated 90,000 fans. This marks the Blue Jackets’ first outdoor NHL game, while the Red Wings will make their fifth appearance.
Columbus dominated Detroit at even strength on Thursday in one of its best performances of the season. According to Evolving Hockey, the Blue Jackets controlled 80.89% of expected goals, 60.97% of shot attempts, and outscored Detroit 4-1 at five-on-five. However, their power play continues to struggle, converting just three times on 29 opportunities since Jan. 9.
Backup goaltender Danill Tarasov shined, stopping 29 of 31 shots for a .935 save percentage — one of his best outings of the season. The win gave Elvis Merzlikins a break after six straight starts, but Merzlikins is likely to return to the crease Saturday following three days of rest.
Several Blue Jackets forwards stayed hot Thursday. Kirill Marchenko extended his point streak to five games, while Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson stretched theirs to four. Marchenko, Fantilli, and Zach Werenski are all producing at a point-per-game pace in 2025, with Johnson and James van Riemsdyk close behind.
Best bet for Red Wings vs. Blue Jackets
- Both teams to score 3+ goals (+185) at Sports Interaction
The favorite has won 20 of the past 25 outdoor games, but this matchup is essentially a pick’em — and for good reason. Both teams should be motivated for the occasion. Since Dec. 27, Columbus and Detroit rank sixth and seventh in goals per 60 minutes in all situations, while eight of the last 10 meetings between the two clubs have gone over the total. Columbus excels at even-strength scoring but struggles on the penalty kill, while Detroit’s power play has been red-hot.