by Chuck Sommers
Friday, Mar 03, 2023
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Venue: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Where to watch: ROOT-NW, BSOH, SNP, SNO, SNE, TVAS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Kraken -165, Blue Jackets +140
FanDuel: Kraken -166, Blue Jackets +138
BetMGM: Kraken -175, Blue Jackets +145
Caesars: Kraken -169, Blue Jackets +143
Season record
Kraken: 34-21-6
Blue Jackets: 20-35-6
The All-Star break is over, the second half of the NHL season can officially begin, and we're bound for what should be a very exciting second half of the hockey season. Basketball and hockey are about to rule the roost in the sports betting world once the Super Bowl is done with, and we should all be very excited for what's to come. When the trade deadline hits and players switch teams, you know things are about to get hectic over these final 30 games or so. One way you can stay tuned with the action is following what our champion handicappers are doing in the world of the NHL. Look at ASA, Inc., reeling in a $6,750 profit off a 17-9-0 run. Al McMordie is also doing well on the ice with a 13-5-0 run and a net profit of $6,050. Scott Rickenbach has also been hanging strong with a lot of betting action, in what's been an unusual year, with a 24-18-0 run and reeling in $5,950. You know this action is going to be great now that games are back and a busy second half if on the horizon. All you need to do is head to our BEST BETS page at bigal.com to find out all of what we're trying to tell you. Make sure you're locked in at bigal.com and go to our Best Bets page to find out what our champion handicappers have to say in the world of the NHL!
Kraken - Blue Jackets preview, prediction and analysis
The Seattle Kraken will be playing the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday, March 3 in Columbus, Ohio.
The Seattle Kraken won against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday, March 2 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan with a score of 5-4 in overtime. The Seattle Kraken currently rank 4th in the Pacific Division.
Jared McCann also scored twice and assisted on the game-winner for the Kraken (34-21-6). Philipp Grubauer stopped 16 of 17 shots after replacing Martin Jones, who allowed three goals on 12 shots.
"I think we gave our goalies a tough time tonight," McCann said.
The Kraken took a 1-0 lead 1:12 into the first period when Jordan Eberle beat two defenders before sliding a backhand pass across the slot for McCann's one-timer and 28th goal.
Ben Chiarot beat Jones on the short side to make it 1-1 at 3:08, but Oliver Bjorkstrand made it 2-1 at 5:33, tapping in Alex Wennberg's pass. McCann got his second of the period at 12:19, scoring two seconds after a power play to put Seattle ahead 3-1.
Adam Erne scored on a delayed penalty to cut it to 3-2 at 18:39. Jonatan Berggren tied it 3-3 at 2:59 of the second period, putting in Filip Zadina's pass and ending Jones' night.
Jaden Schwartz put the Kraken ahead 4-3 at 6:17, scoring nine seconds after another Kraken power play. Jake Walman made it 4-4 at 14:48, avoiding two sliding shot-blockers and beating Grubauer for his sixth of the season.
Bjorkstrand nearly gave Seattle the lead at 13:37 of the third period. His shot looped over Husso, but Olli Maatta kicked it along the goal line and off the post before Husso covered it.
"That was a weird bounce," Bjorkstrand said. "It would have been nice if that had gone in, but getting the one in overtime was good too."
Bjorkstrand scored his second goal of the game at 3:33 of overtime. Bjorkstrand won it with a wrist shot from the left side with four seconds left in a Seattle power play.
"If you look at how close the standings are, you know we can't afford to lose any games," he said. "These games are huge."
The Seattle Kraken have won five of their last 10 games.
The Columbus Blue Jackets won against the Buffalo Sabres last Tuesday, February 28 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York with a score of 5-3. The Columbus Blue Jackets currently rank 8th in the Metropolitan Division.
Eric Robinson scored his first NHL hat trick, Boone Jenner had a goal and an assist, and Nick Blankenburg had two assists for the Blue Jackets (20-35-6), who are 4-1-2 in their past seven games. Elvis Merzlikins made 38 saves.
"I think, for our process, these are important games for us," Jenner said. "To find that way that we want to play and how we're going to play and how we're going to win games in this league, and realize how hard it is and what's our recipe to make that happen. We've been, as of late, playing some good hockey. It's something to build off for us. Obviously, not the spot we want to be in, but we've got to work on our game here."
Kent Johnson gave the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead at 2:53 of the first period, using Ilya Lyubushkin as a screen and scoring over Anderson's left shoulder from the left circle on a power play. Tage Thompson scored 18 seconds later to tie it 1-1.
Robinson put Columbus back in front 2-1 at 13:41 from the edge of the right circle after Sean Kuraly sent the puck out front from his knees behind the net. Robinson then made it 3-1 at 11:53 of the second, scoring on a one-timer off another pass from Kuraly after he was left alone in front.
"It's kind of natural to think [about a hat trick after scoring two goals], but it's been at least 12 or 15 years since I've had one," Robinson said. "Doesn't come naturally, that's for sure."
Jenner pushed it to 4-1 at 19:42, making a move around Owen Power in the left circle before lifting a backhand over Anderson short side. Jack Quinn brought the Sabres to within 4-2 at 5:02 of the third period, and JJ Peterka cut it to 4-3 at 9:46 when he scored with a one-timer from the right circle on a power play.
Robinson completed his hat trick with an empty-net goal and 19:25 for the 5-3 final.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have won five of their last 10 games.
Prediction
The Kraken getting that win in Detroit was huge for many reasons. Going to Columbus, against a winnable team, should be fine even on a back-to-back. Kraken 5, Blue Jackets 2
The Seattle Kraken won against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday, March 2 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan with a score of 5-4 in overtime. The Seattle Kraken currently rank 4th in the Pacific Division.
Jared McCann also scored twice and assisted on the game-winner for the Kraken (34-21-6). Philipp Grubauer stopped 16 of 17 shots after replacing Martin Jones, who allowed three goals on 12 shots.
"I think we gave our goalies a tough time tonight," McCann said.
The Kraken took a 1-0 lead 1:12 into the first period when Jordan Eberle beat two defenders before sliding a backhand pass across the slot for McCann's one-timer and 28th goal.
Ben Chiarot beat Jones on the short side to make it 1-1 at 3:08, but Oliver Bjorkstrand made it 2-1 at 5:33, tapping in Alex Wennberg's pass. McCann got his second of the period at 12:19, scoring two seconds after a power play to put Seattle ahead 3-1.
Adam Erne scored on a delayed penalty to cut it to 3-2 at 18:39. Jonatan Berggren tied it 3-3 at 2:59 of the second period, putting in Filip Zadina's pass and ending Jones' night.
Jaden Schwartz put the Kraken ahead 4-3 at 6:17, scoring nine seconds after another Kraken power play. Jake Walman made it 4-4 at 14:48, avoiding two sliding shot-blockers and beating Grubauer for his sixth of the season.
Bjorkstrand nearly gave Seattle the lead at 13:37 of the third period. His shot looped over Husso, but Olli Maatta kicked it along the goal line and off the post before Husso covered it.
"That was a weird bounce," Bjorkstrand said. "It would have been nice if that had gone in, but getting the one in overtime was good too."
Bjorkstrand scored his second goal of the game at 3:33 of overtime. Bjorkstrand won it with a wrist shot from the left side with four seconds left in a Seattle power play.
"If you look at how close the standings are, you know we can't afford to lose any games," he said. "These games are huge."
The Seattle Kraken have won five of their last 10 games.
The Columbus Blue Jackets won against the Buffalo Sabres last Tuesday, February 28 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York with a score of 5-3. The Columbus Blue Jackets currently rank 8th in the Metropolitan Division.
Eric Robinson scored his first NHL hat trick, Boone Jenner had a goal and an assist, and Nick Blankenburg had two assists for the Blue Jackets (20-35-6), who are 4-1-2 in their past seven games. Elvis Merzlikins made 38 saves.
"I think, for our process, these are important games for us," Jenner said. "To find that way that we want to play and how we're going to play and how we're going to win games in this league, and realize how hard it is and what's our recipe to make that happen. We've been, as of late, playing some good hockey. It's something to build off for us. Obviously, not the spot we want to be in, but we've got to work on our game here."
Kent Johnson gave the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead at 2:53 of the first period, using Ilya Lyubushkin as a screen and scoring over Anderson's left shoulder from the left circle on a power play. Tage Thompson scored 18 seconds later to tie it 1-1.
Robinson put Columbus back in front 2-1 at 13:41 from the edge of the right circle after Sean Kuraly sent the puck out front from his knees behind the net. Robinson then made it 3-1 at 11:53 of the second, scoring on a one-timer off another pass from Kuraly after he was left alone in front.
"It's kind of natural to think [about a hat trick after scoring two goals], but it's been at least 12 or 15 years since I've had one," Robinson said. "Doesn't come naturally, that's for sure."
Jenner pushed it to 4-1 at 19:42, making a move around Owen Power in the left circle before lifting a backhand over Anderson short side. Jack Quinn brought the Sabres to within 4-2 at 5:02 of the third period, and JJ Peterka cut it to 4-3 at 9:46 when he scored with a one-timer from the right circle on a power play.
Robinson completed his hat trick with an empty-net goal and 19:25 for the 5-3 final.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have won five of their last 10 games.
Prediction
The Kraken getting that win in Detroit was huge for many reasons. Going to Columbus, against a winnable team, should be fine even on a back-to-back. Kraken 5, Blue Jackets 2
Betting trends
Kraken are 2-5 on Friday this season.
Blue Jackets are 11-15 in non-conference games.
Blue Jackets are 0-6 off a road win this season.
Projected lines
Kraken:
Jared McCann -- Matty Beniers -- Jordan Eberle
Eeli Tolvanen -- Yanni Gourde -- Ryan Donato
Jaden Schwartz -- Alex Wennberg -- Oliver Bjorkstrand
Daniel Sprong -- Morgan Geekie -- Brandon Tanev
Vince Dunn -- Adam Larsson
Jamie Oleksiak -- Will Borgen
Carson Soucy -- Justin Schultz
Martin Jones
Jared McCann -- Matty Beniers -- Jordan Eberle
Eeli Tolvanen -- Yanni Gourde -- Ryan Donato
Jaden Schwartz -- Alex Wennberg -- Oliver Bjorkstrand
Daniel Sprong -- Morgan Geekie -- Brandon Tanev
Vince Dunn -- Adam Larsson
Jamie Oleksiak -- Will Borgen
Carson Soucy -- Justin Schultz
Martin Jones
Blue Jackets:
Johnny Gaudreau -- Boone Jenner -- Kirill Marchenko
Kent Johnson -- Jack Roslovic -- Patrik Laine
Eric Robinson -- Sean Kuraly -- Mathieu Olivier
Liam Foudy -- Cole Sillinger -- Emil Bemstrom
Tim Berni -- Erik Gudbranson
Nick Blankenburg -- Andrew Peeke
Gavin Bayreuther -- Adam Boqvist
Elvis Merzlikins
Johnny Gaudreau -- Boone Jenner -- Kirill Marchenko
Kent Johnson -- Jack Roslovic -- Patrik Laine
Eric Robinson -- Sean Kuraly -- Mathieu Olivier
Liam Foudy -- Cole Sillinger -- Emil Bemstrom
Tim Berni -- Erik Gudbranson
Nick Blankenburg -- Andrew Peeke
Gavin Bayreuther -- Adam Boqvist
Elvis Merzlikins
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
