Colorado Avalanche vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Picks and Prediction for Thursday, October 16, 2025

By: Jake Allman Published 10/16/2025, 12:00 AM ET

The Colorado Avalanche hit the road to face the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The opening faceoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET, with coverage on ESPN+. Colorado enters this matchup at 3-0-1 and 2-0-0 away, while Columbus sits at 1-2-0 and 0-1-0 at home. The Avalanche have yet to lose in regulation and continue to look sharp early in the season. From power plays to puck drops, we’ve got winning NHL picks.

Avalanche Preview

Colorado is averaging 3.25 goals per game while giving up just 1.75. Nathan MacKinnon’s four goals and Martin Necas’s five assists have led the offense, and the power play has converted at a respectable 15.8%. The Avalanche are limiting opponents to 27.3 shots per game, showing how well the defense is playing early in the season. The injury list is notable, with Samuel Girard, Logan O’Connor, and Mackenzie Blackwood sidelined. MacKinnon is already in top form, leading the team with eight points through four games, while Scott Wedgewood has been steady in net with a 1.72 goals against average and .936 save percentage.

Blue Jackets Preview

Columbus enters this matchup trying to find its way early this season after dropping two of the first three games. The Blue Jackets have scored 3.33 goals per game but have also allowed 3.00, making it important to find a way to tighten up around the crease and at the blue line. Kirill Marchenko has been a bright spot with four goals in three games, while Dmitri Voronkov has added two assists. In goal, Jet Greaves has posted a .932 save percentage with a 2.06 GAA, which is strong goaltending, despite his 0-2 record. Elvis Merzlikins picked up the team’s lone win but struggled in his outing, giving up four goals on 52 shots.

The Blue Jackets are generating a solid 34.7 shots per game, but the penalty kill has been a major weakness, at just 50%. They’ve already allowed seven power-play goals, and facing a Colorado team that thrives in the offensive zone could be a big problem for the defense. Injuries to Erik Gudbranson and Miles Wood don’t help the situation either, especially against one of the most aggressive forechecking units in the NHL.

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Blue Jackets vs Avalanche Pick

Colorado’s combination of speed, talent on the top line, and goaltending advantage makes this matchup heavily in the Avalanche’s favor. Wedgewood’s consistency in net gives the Avalanche even more of an advantage, while the Blue Jackets are still adjusting to new faces and battling injuries. Columbus will have to stay out of the penalty box and control the puck deep in Colorado’s zone to keep this game close, but that’s a tough task against a veteran Avalanche team.

Prediction: Avalanche 4, Blue Jackets 2