Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), 4:00 p.m. Pacific

How to Watch: Sportsnet+, SNP, FDSNOH, ESPN+, NHL Centre Ice

2025-2026 Season Series: Vancouver 1-0 Columbus

The Vancouver Canucks faceoff against their old assistant and associate coach Rick Bowness to wrap up their abysmal Eastern Conference road trip. Vancouver is 0-5 on their current six-game road trip, which ends tonight. They most recently lost 2-1 against the Ottawa Senators. The Blue Jackets will play their second game under new head coach Rick Bowness. The Canucks sit at 16-25-5 after 46 games, with 37 points, while the Blue Jackets sit at 20-19-7 after 46 games, with 47 points. This marks the second and final meeting between these two teams. The Canucks won the first game, 4-3, on November 8th.

The Canucks Story

Tanking is on the minds of many Canucks fans as Vancouver has lost eight-consecutive games. Apart from their injury woes, their effort level has also started to wane. Given their rough stretch, it is understandable that the players have lost some pep in their step and motivation. In their last two games, they have been outshot 81-42. It is clear that the Canucks lack the talent to generate much of anything. If this keeps up, they will stay in last place in the NHL, which may be the best outcome in the big picture. The one bright spot as of late would be that Elias Pettersson, the forward, has scored more consistently. He has scored three goals in his last five games, with twelve total in the season now.

The Blue Jackets Story

Columbus embarked on a new chapter under head coach Rick Bowness on Tuesday, with a 5-3 win over the Flames. You could say the Flames ignited the cannon of the Blue Jackets once again. They will continue to seek a coaching bump against a deeply flawed Canucks team. If they are serious about a playoff push, these are the games they must lock down. Currently, they sit second last in the Eastern Conference with 47 points, and are six points back of a Stanley Cup Playoff spot.

Starting Goalies

*Below are the projected starters for tonight’s game. Please check social media for the most updated information before locking in your daily fantasy lineups.

Vancouver: Kevin Lankinen

Columbus: Elvis Merzļikins

NHL Prediction

The Canucks are reeling right now, and we do not expect that to change anytime soon. Their only way out of this is to get healthier, which they are not right now. The Blue Jackets should be desperate to win this game and jump closer to the playoff conversation. They cannot afford to lose this one.

Prediction: Blue Jackets win 4-2.

Prop Bets

To wrap things up, here are our anytime goal scorer picks. For the Canucks, we will pick Linus Karlsson to score, as he leads his team in points since December. On the Ottawa side of things, count on Norris Trophy candidate Zach Werenski to get a goal.

Main Photo Credit: Bob Frid – Imagn Images

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