Vancouver Canucks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
Free NHL Pick: Columbus Blue Jackets (+140 odds)
Mon October 5th 2009 10:00p
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The Vancouver Canucks have opened the season 0-2 with both losses on the road, and although this is their home opener, we still feel that they will have their hands full with the 1-0 Columbus Blue Jackets.

Quite frankly, the Canucks have not looked sharp in their first two games. The normally reliable Roberto Luongo let in eight goals in the two contests with an abnormally low .857 save percentage, and the offense has not been able to finish plays. They have managed a good 77 shots in two games, but have lit the lamp just three times. Is this return home what the need to regain their form? Well, we would rather not lay -160 to find out.

The Blue Jackets opened with a nice 2-1 home win over the Minnesota Wild, as goaltender Steve Mason picked up where he left off after a spectacular year last season, stopping 32 of 33 shots (.970). The young Jackets are looking to build on the first playoff appearance in club history last year by now beginning a season 2-0 for the first time ever. They should have confidence vs. the Canucks here, as they were 3-1 head-to-head last year including one win here in Vancouver.
Given the start these teams have had and the fact that Columbus has been one of the few visiting teams to have some success in this building, going 3-2 in the last five visits, we will give the Blue Jackets the upset call here.

NHL Free Pick: Blue Jackets +140

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