Devils vs. Blue Jackets prediction: NHL odds, picks, bets

The Blue Jackets sit in last place of the Metropolitan Division heading into Saturday’s puck drop against the Devils. 

It’s a young team that not less than has the budding talent of rookie Adam Fantilli to sit up for.

The No. 2 overall draft pick has fared respectably with 16 points through all 31 games.

The priority is that Columbus’ best players haven’t performed to their bar of expectations.

Johnny Gaudreau, who’s within the second 12 months of a $68.25 million contract, sits beneath Fantilli. So did Patrik Laine, who’s out for six weeks. 

The Jackets seized a five-goal opening lead on the Maple Leafs on Thursday but threw it away, allowing five unanswered within the third period before winning in additional time.

They might have gotten two points on a superior team, but this just isn’t a sustainable course within the NHL.

Recent Jersey hasn’t gotten the general results projected when it was pegged as a Cup contender within the preseason, but it surely’s resulting from positive regression rating No. 7 in expected goals rate. 

The Devils have won seven of their last 10 games, including a disciplined 2-1 victory over the Bruins of their last outing.

Any success has been much partly to fielding the highest power play in hockey, which has converted 31.8 percent of its opportunities into goals. 

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Their issues have also revolved around wobbly netminding, but Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt have combined for not less than one point in nine straight games.

When the highest players produce as expected, the whole lot else should fall into place.

That disparity between the 2 lineups gives the Devils’ quick-transition game an offensive edge Saturday.

THE PLAY: Devils puckline -1.5 goals.