After beating the Islanders last game, the Vancouver Canucks – sitting three points out of the final Wild Card berth out West – are in Columbus to take on a Blue Jackets team in the same predicament: chasing the final Wild Card berth in the East.
Despite seeking a third-straight win, the Canucks are still +100 moneyline underdogs Friday night from Nationwide Arena in Columbus.
Our Canucks analysis has the road team gutting out another close one as they seek out the final Wild Card spot in the West.
Read on for my Canucks vs. Blue Jackets predictions and NHL picks for Friday, March 28.
Canucks vs Blue Jackets prediction
My Canucks pick: Vancouver Canucks ML (+100 at Pinnacle)
My Canucks analysis
The Vancouver Canucks seem to have found their offensive stride, just as one of their top defensive anchors is back in the lineup and trying to will them into the postseason.
Vancouver dumped the Islanders 5-2, giving them back-to-back wins and a 2-1-1 record entering the home stretch of a 6-game road trip.
The Canucks also got a 4-3 shootout win over the Devils in the previous game. The offensive formula has been simple lately: scoring goals equals wins.
Over the last eight games, the 'Nucks have scored four or more goals five times, taking all five wins. Three or less? They're 0-2-1.
But that formula may change the more reps starting goalie Thatcher Demko gets.
He's backstopped Vancouver to two straight wins since returning from a long injury layoff, making both the timely and necessary saves.
He'll be facing a Columbus Blue Jackets team that just broke out of an ugly 6-game losing streak. Coincidentally, they did it against the Islanders, winning 4-3 in a shootout.
That must have felt like an offensive explosion for the Blue Jackets, who had seven goals across the previous six losses, getting shut out three times and scoring once in another.
The Canucks have had the edge in the head-to-head department of late, winning three of the previous four, including a 5-2 win in Vancouver in December this season.
The Blue Jackets, however, have won four straight against Vancouver on its home ice.
While that may be cause for concern, I like Demko against a Columbus team that has yet to prove it can sustain its offensive prowess.
Vancouver has won four of the last six against the Blue Jackets, and in those games, they have scored at least four goals. Look for the same formula here.
Canucks vs Blue Jackets odds analysis
The Canucks are 4-3-1 in their last eight as a moneyline underdog.
The home team has won each of the last seven games between the Canucks and Blue Jackets.
Vancouver's last seven road games have cashed the Over.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Canucks vs Blue Jackets odds
Canucks vs Blue Jackets live odds
Canucks vs Blue Jackets opening odds
- Puck line: Vancouver -1.5 (+220) | Columbus +1.5 (-275)
- Moneyline: Vancouver (-115) | Columbus (-105)
- Over/Under: Over 6 (+100) | Under 6 (-120)
Odds courtesy of Pinnacle
Canucks vs Blue Jackets trend
Columbus is just 2-7-1-0 over its last 10 games. Find more NHL betting trends for Canucks vs. Blue Jackets.
How to watch Canucks vs Blue Jackets
| Location | Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH |
| Date | Friday, 3-28-2025 |
| Puck drop | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Sportsnet Pacific |
Canucks vs Blue Jackets latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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