Pinnacle    +100     BET365  +100   Sportsinteraction  +100  888port  +100

Posted at 8:00 AM ET. Odds are subject to change

Columbus +100 over New Jersey

Nationwide Arena – Columbus, OH

7:00 PM ET. OT included. The market loves the Devils, and why wouldn’t it? They’re flashy, fast, loaded with young talent, and fresh off a 100-point season that convinced everyone they’re a legitimate Cup threat. That reputation tends to carry early in a new season, which is why New Jersey is priced like a contender instead of a team still trying to find its rhythm. We’ll gladly step in front of that hype train here.

The Devils close out a three-game road trip after stops in Carolina and Tampa Bay, two emotional, high-tempo environments that can drain a team early in October. They looked good in the first 40 minutes against the Lightning before nearly coughing it up, and that’s been the theme of their first week — spurts of brilliance followed by defensive lapses and goaltending uncertainty. Jacob Markstrom was barely tested on Saturday, facing only 17 shots, but he hasn’t been sharp for a while now and remains one of the league’s more volatile netminders.

Columbus comes in with some juice. Their 7–4 win over Minnesota was more than just a confidence booster — it was a reminder that this roster can score in bunches. Kirill Marchenko looks poised for a breakout, Boone Jenner continues to be the engine, and Zach Werenski is healthy and controlling play from the back end again. The Jackets allowed too many power plays against the Wild (eight), but they still dominated at even strength, and Elvis Merzlikins was terrific, stopping 48 shots.

The market will see a New Jersey team with Hughes, Hischier, and Meier and instinctively reach for the chalk, but this is a sneaky bad spot for them. They’ve played two fast-paced games, travel again, and face a Jackets team opening its home slate in front of a juiced-up crowd. Nationwide Arena will be buzzing, and Columbus has historically punched above its weight in these early-season home openers.

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