NHL Best Bets for February 25: Blue Jackets Strong on Home Ice
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Eric Kelly
- February 25, 2025
Top NHL Pick: Columbus Blue Jackets +1.5 (+100) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
With 14 games across the board, we had a lot of fun looking for some potential bets for tonight’s NHL games.
We have come across two plays that we like a lot, one in which we are looking to bet the total whilst laying some juice. Our second game of the night is a PK line spread on the home underdogs for plus money.
Let’s dive into detailed analysis and the latest betting odds from top-rated sportsbooks.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Buffalo Sabres
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 – 07:00 PM ET at KeyBank Center
Battle of the Totals
It’s as simple as this, the Buffalo Sabres dominate when it comes to the total going over with the 2nd best record in the NHL having gone 32-15-7 to the total over, whilst visiting Anaheim ranks as the worst total over team in the NHL having gone 17-34-4 to the over.
Despite the Ducks having a woeful record when it comes to the total going over, it’s always very hard to see a Buffalo game go under 5.5 goals. Their previous two games alone have seen 10 goals scored in both games and their average across the last ten outings has been 7.4 goals per game.
Even the Anaheim Ducks have seen goals in their games lately, having averaged 6 goals total per game across their last ten.
Anaheim & Buffalo Trends & Facts
- The total has gone over in 5 of Buffalo’s last 7 games against an opponent in the Western Conference.
- The total has gone over in 5 of Buffalo’s last 6 games.
- The total has gone under in 6 of Anaheim’s last 9 games on the road.
- Buffalo are 5-0 in their last 5 games at home.
The Pick
We could not believe our eyes when we see the over 5.5 line is juiced only as low as -120 NHL betting odds. For us, this is a steal of a price and we would happily bet the total over 5.5 down to as low as -150 in this matchup.
The previous five games between these teams has seen 5/7/6/10 and 9 goals scored, let’s hope for more of the same tonight.
NHL Pick: Over 5.5 Goals (-120) at BetOnline
Dallas Stars vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 – 07:00 PM ET at Nationwide Arena
Columbus Can Hold Their Own
These scenarios are exactly the type we like to target. Yes, we have a strong team in Dallas who are sitting 2nd in the Western Conference with a 37-18-2 record and a weak team in Columbus who are 9th in the Eastern Conference (it looks better than it sounds) with a record sitting at 26-22-8. The Blue Jackets have also been struggling lately going 1-4 in their last five outings.
This is an inter conference clash and heading into this game the Columbus Blue Jackets have the 2nd best ATS record in the NHL and the best by far on home ice. Taking a look at the Dallas Stars they have a 27-30 ATS record this season and on the road have gone 11-18 ATS.
It must be noted that Dallas would have been favorites for a lot more games than the Blue Jackets and would have had to cover a -1.5 line as opposed to a +1.5 line, but either way that doesn’t matter in the context of our bet, but it’s nice to remind ourselves the margin isn’t actually as big as the stats show.
Dallas & Columbus Trends & Facts
- The Columbus Blue Jackets are the best ATS team in the NHL this season having gone 35-22 overall and 21-7 when playing on home ice.
- Columbus are 10-3 in their last 13 games at home.
- The total has gone over in 5 of Dallas’ last 6 games on the road.
- Columbus is 8-4 in their last 12 games when playing at home against Dallas.
The Pick
The Columbus Blue Jackets clearly favor being on home ice with their incredible ATS record at home, and given the fact they have the league’s 2nd best ATS record and come into most games as underdogs or an even favorite then it’s proven that when they lose, it’s usually by less than two goals.
The biggest factor for us here when looking at the home underdogs’ PK line at -1.5 for plus money at +100 NHL betting odds, is the fact that the Blue Jackets are currently on a 13-game streak having covered the +1.5 spread on home ice.
NHL Pick: Columbus Blue Jackets +1.5 (+100) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
