New Jersey Devils at Columbus Blue Jackets Picks and Prediction for Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Use Code WWWC The New Jersey Devils (20-16-2, 42 points, 6th Metro) visit the Columbus Blue Jackets (17-15-6, 40 points, 8th Atlantic) at Nationwide Arena with the opening faceoff at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN+. The Devils will be completing a back-to-back after playing on the road Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. New Jersey is 10-9-0 away, while Columbus is 8-6-3 at home. The Devils have dropped three straight games, including an overtime loss last time out, while the Blue Jackets have won three of their last four and are coming off a strong road win. Make sure to read this in-depth New Jersey Devils vs Columbus Blue Jackets prediction. Ice-cold accuracy: trust our NHL picks for New Jersey Devils at the Columbus Blue Jackets prediction to guide your bets.
New Jersey Devils Leaning on Special Teams
The New Jersey Devils have struggled to find consistency over the last two weeks. The Devils have lost three consecutive games, most recently falling 4-3 in overtime against Washington. That game followed a 2-1 loss to the Islanders and a 3-1 defeat against Buffalo, forming a stretch where New Jersey scored six total goals in three losses. Before that skid, New Jersey earned back-to-back wins against Utah and Vegas but scored just a combined four goals in 2-1 wins.
Offensively, New Jersey has a goals-for average of 2.71 per game, averaging 29.5 shots. Jesper Bratt leads the Devils with 31 points and 23 assists, while Timo Meier paces the team with 11 goals, including five on the power play. The Devils' power play converts at 21.3%, which has been a positive, but even-strength scoring has dipped during the recent losing streak. Defensively, New Jersey has a 3.00 goals-against average and allows an average of 28.6 shots, which are both just average in the league.
Goalie Jake Allen has posted a 2.54 goals against average with a .910 save percentage, while Jacob Markstrom has struggled with a 3.33 GAA and .883 save percentage. With New Jersey struggling at times to score and losing close games, even small goaltending errors have been costly.
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Injuries: New Jersey will play without Simon Nemec and Evgenii Dadonov
Columbus Blue Jackets Finding Rhythm Late December
The Columbus Blue Jackets are playing better, winning three of the last four games. Columbus is coming off a 4-1 road win against Ottawa, following home wins over the Islanders and a road victory against Los Angeles. The Blue Jackets have scored at least three goals in three of those four games, a noticeable improvement from earlier in the season when the Blue Jackets’ attack performed well below average.
The Blue Jackets have a goals-for average of 2.92 per game on 30.3 shots and a goals-against average of 3.41, allowing an average of 30.6 shots. Columbus’ blue line and goaltending remain an issue, but recent results show improvement. Zach Werenski leads the Blue Jackets in points at 40, goals at 14, and assists at 26. The power play has scored 19.8% of the time with the man advantage, slightly behind New Jersey, while the penalty kill has been successful 74.8% of the time when short-handed.
In net, Jet Greaves has been reliable with an 11-9-5 record, 2.66 GAA, and .909 save percentage. Elvis Merzlikins has struggled badly, with 4.04 GAA and an .877 save percentage. Columbus has allowed multiple goals in four of the last five games, but the offense has compensated enough to keep results positive.
Injuries: Columbus will play without Sean Monahan
New Jersey Devils at Columbus Blue Jackets Pick
Spread Pick for New Jersey Devils at Columbus Blue Jackets
- Columbus Blue Jackets (4 Units)
Columbus has played better hockey over the last two weeks and is producing more consistent scoring than New Jersey. The Blue Jackets have won three of the last four games, while the Devils have lost three straight and are allowing three goals per game during that stretch. Columbus also holds a goaltending edge with Jet Greaves, as his numbers compare favorably to both Devils options. With New Jersey struggling to generate offense at five-on-five and Columbus improving each time out with offensive production, look for the Blue Jackets to force New Jersey into mistakes at the blue line and in goal.
Over/Under Pick for New Jersey Devils at Columbus Blue Jackets
- Over (4 Units)
Both teams have had problems at their own ends of the ice, which point toward scoring opportunities. Columbus allows 3.41 goals per game and over 30 shots against, while New Jersey sits at an even 3.00 goals allowed per game. Recent Devils games have reached four goals or more in four of the last five outings, including an overtime finish against Washington. Columbus has scored four goals in two of the last three games and is shooting the puck at a higher rate during this stretch. With power plays on both sides operating near or above 20%, the conditions favor goals rather than a tight, low-scoring matchup.
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