Vancouver Canucks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets October 18 Betting Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets return home after a 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues, welcoming the Vancouver Canucks to Ohio. Neither team has won a game in the 2022-23 NHL season. One of these teams will leave the ranks of the winless on Tuesday night.

Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets continued their difficult start to the 2022-23 season. Patrik Laine is on the injured reserve for another few weeks, and the Blue Jackets have opened the season with an 0-3-0 record. Columbus has averaged 1.67 goals per game in those two games and is one of two teams to have not scored a power-play goal.

Gustav Nyquist leads the Blue Jackets with two goals, while new acquisitions Johnny Gaudreau and Erik Gudbranson each have two points. As mentioned, the Blue Jackets’ power play has not scored yet, while the penalty kill is operating at 71.4 percent.

Elvis Merzlikins made his season debut for the Jackets against the Blues on Saturday night. Merzlikins was in net for all five goals, making 20 saves in the loss. 

Daniel Tarasov is still the team goaltending statistics leader, but we think Merzlikins will get his first start at home against the Canucks on Tuesday night.

Vancouver Canucks Betting Preview

The Vancouver Canucks had high hopes for a better season before the 2022-23 NHL regular season began. While far from over, the Canucks have opened the season with a 0-3-0 record. If Vancouver wants to get close to a playoff spot in the Pacific Division and the Western Conference, they will need to be better on the ice and start stacking wins.

Elias Pettersson leads the Vancouver Canucks with four points (2 goals and 2 assists). Brock Boeser and Quinn Hughes have three assists, while J.T. Miller has 2 goals and 1 assist. The Canucks power play is operating at 14.3 percent, while the penalty kill has not been great, operating at 50 percent.

 The Canucks young offensive talent leads the team, while their goaltending has struggled early this season.

Thatcher Demko has played all three games in net for the Canucks. Demko has a 0-3-0 record, posting a 3.64 goals against average and a .847 save percentage. The Vancouver Canucks lost 6-4 to the Washington Capitals on Monday night, with Demko making 24 saves in the loss.

We expect backup goalie Spencer Martin to make his 2022-23 NHL regular-season debut with the Canucks playing back-to-back games.

Canucks vs. Blue Jackets Odds

betJACK has the Blue Jackets listed as the slight moneyline betting underdog, with odds of (-106). The Canucks are the moneyline betting favorite, with odds of (-115).

Our Prediction

The Canucks are playing on back-to-back nights and are likely starting their backup goalie. The Blue Jackets are rested and waiting for Tuesday night’s matchup at Nationwide Arena. This is the perfect recipe for the Blue Jackets to get their first win of the season. We’re leaning toward picking the Blue Jackets to win on the moneyline.