Red Wings vs Blue Jackets odds - Detroit’s experience will prevail
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With Detroit involved, Red Wings vs Blue Jackets odds feature the presumptive favorite on Stanley Cup odds, but they’ll have to get through three rounds of hockey before they become a serious factor.
For now, the first step will be overcoming soft goaltending and getting by Columbus in this first-round series, which is making its first-ever postseason appearance.
Red Wings vs Blue Jackets odds: Detroit’s experience will overcome soft goaltending
- WHO: Red Wings vs Blue Jackets odds
- WHAT: Best of Seven series
- WHEN: Game 1 is Thursday, April 16 at 7:00 p.m. ET
- WHERE: Joe Louis Arena in Detroit
- KEY STAT: Detroit and Columbus split the season series 3-3
- THE PICK: Red Wings in five
The Columbus Blue Jackets are in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history and they couldn’t have drawn a more experienced, successful franchise if they tried. Blue Jackets odds have them listed as the biggest underdog in the entire first round of the playoffs.
It has been a special season for the blue-colored working bees in Columbus. They set new franchise highs in wins and points. The reason why Blue Jackets odds are so low is because they are facing the defending Stanley Cup Champions.
NHL betting fans should take into account that their team struggled down the stretch of the season. The Blue Jackets lost six of their last eight games to finish up the season. The Red Wings have finished with the exact same stretch, but the Red Wings are by far the more experienced team and are more likely to find their game quickly.
Sportsbook odds makers know that if the Blue Jackets are to pull off an upset, goaltending will have to be the difference. While Blue Jackets goalie Steve Mason is and up-and-comer—and considered by many as a Hart Trophy candidate—he must outplay veteran Chris Osgood if the Blue Jackets are to have any chance. Osgood has been shaky at times this season, including in an 8-2 loss to the Blue Jackets, but at least he’s been here before. Mason has not.
One other underlying factor will likely be the Blue Jackets’ poor power play. Red Wings odds get a big boost because of Columbus’ poor special teams play. Now only do the Blue Jackets have the worst power play in all of hockey, but they’ve allowed 11 shorthanded goals, fourth-most in the NHL.
DON’S PICK: The Blue Jackets are happy to be here while the Red Wings will be happy to escort them to the exit. There’s a reason Detroit cruised through the regular season: it’s a very good team. Bet on the Detroit Red Wings.
Check out the BetOnline.com Betting Edge for more Red Wings vs Blue Jackets odds and other sports betting lines.
Who better to offer great sports betting and hockey tips than a native Canadian? Like any good Canuck, Don Melrose eats, sleeps, breathes and bets hockey, making him the perfect NHL handicapper. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
