Red Wings vs. Blue Jackets Prediction, Betting Odds, and Our Best Bet

The Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets face off in the highly anticipated 2025 NHL Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium.

With the season series tied at just one game a piece and both teams fighting for a coveted wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, this outdoor matchup has some serious implications.

The Blue Jackets enter today’s game on a 3-game winning streak, while the Red Wings are looking to bounce back after a tough loss to Columbus on Thursday night.

Odds and Matchup Breakdown

The Red Wings sit at 30-23-6 with 66 points which is good for 4th in the Atlantic Division. Columbus on the other hand sits at 29-22-8 with 66 points as well and is in a similar spot in the Metropolitan Division. Both teams are in the playoff bubble which makes this a crucial game for both benches.

Detroit averages just 2.88 goals per game, which is not that great while allowing 3.15 GA/G. Columbus scores slightly more at 3.3 goals per game but also concedes an average of 3.3. The Red Wings are pretty hot on special teams, converting a staggering 29.3% on the power play which is 2nd in the NHL, while the Blue Jackets sit at only 21% which is in the lower half of the league. Defensively, Columbus has been better on the penalty kill with 75.6% compared to Detroit’s 70%. Both are dismal, but Detroit is dead last on the PK.

Goaltending is a key storyline for this matchup. Cam Talbot has been fairly solid for Detroit with a 17-12-3 record, 2.89 GAA, and .905 SV%, while Elvis Merzlikins has a 21-14-4 record, 2.96 GAA and a .895 SV% but has generally been steady in net for Columbus. The Blue Jackets backup Daniil Tarasov has struggled with a whopping 3.58 GAA and a .881 SV%, so if he starts, Detroit may have the edge.

Who Has the Edge?

Momentum is definitely on Columbus’ side. The Blue Jackets have won 3 straight, including a 5-2 win over Detroit the other night. James van Riemsdyk stepped up with a monstrous 2-goal game, while captain Boone Jenner had 3 helpers to get the Jackets on the board. Their resilience has been a season-long theme, overcoming several injuries and playing their best hockey at the right time. This team definitely has the depth to keep making a playoff push.

Detroit, on the other hand, has been inconsistent since the 4 Nations Face Off break but had a couple of 7-game winning streaks since McClellan took over. They have lost 3 of their last 5, including an overtime loss to the Wild. Lucas Raymond with 63 points and Alex DeBrincat with 27 goals lead their offense, but the team hasn’t been able to string together enough wins lately. They’ll be hungry coming into this game to get their playoff spot back and avenge the Blue Jackets. We think they might look a little different heading into tonight’s game.

Columbus also has a significant home-ice advantage. Though this is an outdoor game, it’s being played at Ohio Stadium in Columbus which means the Blue Jackets will have the crowd behind them and they’ll get last change on the ice. They have been much stronger at home with a 19-6-4 record than on the road where they’re 10-16-4.

Stadium Series Prediction and Best Bet

The Blue Jackets are the better bet in this game and Thursday’s game tells the whole story. They are in better form, playing at home, and alrthey eady proved they cancouldndle Detroit just days ago. Their power play might not be as strong as Detroit’s, but their defensive depth has stepped up, and their recent wins in close games make them the more trustworthy pick.

• HelloRookie’s Prediction: Blue Jackets 4, Red Wings 3
• Our Best Bet: Columbus Blue Jackets to Win (-105)

Detroit has the talent to make this a competitive game if they step up better than they did on Thursday. However, Columbus’ momentum, special teams, and home-ice edge make them the smarter play despite this being a close game.

We expect another strong performance from Boone Jenner and James van Riemsdyk as Columbus continues their playoff push with a win in the Stadium Series.