Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Anaheim Ducks Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 4/17/2022

Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

Venue: Honda Center, Anaheim, CA

Where to watch: Bally Sports Ohio, Bally Sports Southern California

DraftKings: Ducks -130, Blue Jackets +115

BetMGM: Ducks -140, Blue Jackets +115

Caesars: NL

Blue Jackets: 35-34-6

Ducks: 29-33-14

The Columbus Blue Jackets did not feel like doing the Vegas Golden Knights a solid in helping them with their playoff situation, and now Columbus gets to play the second night of a back-to-back for their troubles.

No, the Golden Knights are not the schedule gods and did not force such a problem here for Columbus, but the Blue Jackets do face an uphill climb with a few games to go in their attempt to try and finish strong. They’ll be taking on the Anaheim Ducks in Anaheim 24 hours after losing 2-1 to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena.

Sean Kuraly scored the lone goal for Columbus, which fell behind 2-0 early after giving up two goals in the first seven minutes against Los Angeles. The Blue Jackets were officially eliminated from playoff contention with the loss for the second straight season.

"We knew what to expect since they're fighting for a playoff spot and we were a must-win for them since we're on the outside looking in here," Columbus forward Carson Meyer said. "We knew what was going to happen, but we didn't quite match their intensity in the first period. I thought we played well in the second and third, but we were kind of playing catch-up at that point."

The Blue Jackets, while not the best team this season, definitely put some good vibes into the future for the city of Columbus with the youth movement they’ve put in place. Cole Sillinger showed to be a valuable player in his rookie year, and Kent Johnson is going to have a full year in 2022-23 after the No. 5 overall pick of this past draft wrapped up his time with Michigan.

The goalie situation is still going to be interesting with Elvis Merzlikins and, likely, someone else backing him up with Joonas Korpisalo likely on the way out. But it’ll be interesting to watch the development of this group that was coming off four straight playoff appearances prior to these past two seasons.

Development will also be interesting for the Ducks heading down the stretch, as time ticks down on the career of captain Ryan Getzlaf. With him retiring at the end of this season, it’s all about what the young Ducks can bring to the future of the group.

Of course that starts with Trevor Zegras and Troy Terry, as well as what that might hold for the future of John Gibson. The Ducks are coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in which it was the final time Getzlaf faced off against longtime teammate and friend Corey Perry.

"It was fun to be out there competing with a couple of guys I've played with," Getzlaf said. "I've played other games against Perry, but it was great to get out there and play what will be my last game against him."

With the Ducks having a few days off and returning home, one has to wonder the kind of atmosphere that awaits Anaheim in these final few days and final few games of Getzlaf’s career. There’s a chance that the crowd will play a factor into this kind of thing. That won’t be motivation enough to beat Columbus: The Blue Jackets are coming off a one-goal effort and are playing a second game in 24 hours. I say that’s reason enough for Anaheim to get the win. Ducks win 4-2

Blue Jackets are 29-49 the past three seasons when playing a second game in five days.

Over is 45-24 in the Blue Jackets' games this season.

Ducks are 10-19 this season after playing a non-conference game.

Ducks are 7-17 this season off a road loss.

Blue Jackets:

Gustav Nyquist -- Jack Roslovic -- Patrik Laine

Jakub Voracek -- Cole Sillinger -- Emil Bemstrom

Kent Johnson -- Justin Danforth -- Oliver Bjorkstrand

Eric Robinson -- Sean Kuraly -- Carson Meyer

Zach Werenski -- Andrew Peeke

Vladislav Gavrikov -- Adam Boqvist

Jake Bean -- Nick Blankenburg

J-F Berube

Ducks:

Derek Grant -- Trevor Zegras -- Troy Terry

Zach Aston-Reese -- Adam Henrique -- Dominik Simon

Sonny Milano -- Ryan Getzlaf -- Gerry Mayhew

Sam Steel -- Isac Lundestrom -- Sam Carrick

Cam Fowler -- Jamie Drysdale

Urho Vaakanainen -- Kevin Shattenkirk

Josh Mahura -- Andrej Sustr

John Gibson

Points: Patrik Laine -- 56

Goals: Patrik Laine -- 26

Assists: Jakub Voracek -- 49

Goalie: Elvis Merzlikins -- 25-20-6, 3.32 GAA, .905 SSV%

Points: Troy Terry -- 60

Goals: Troy Terry -- 34

Assists: Trevor Zegras -- 35

Goalie: John Gibson -- 17-24-11, 3.16 GAA, .905 SV%