Vegas Golden Knights vs Columbus Blue Jackets Picks and Predictions for Saturday October 24 2026
Vegas had a pretty miserable Thursday night in St. Louis. The Golden Knights lost 6-2, and they looked nothing like the team that had been rolling through the early part of the season. Now they’re going to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets have had problems of their own. Columbus has lost two straight, including a 6-2 defeat against Toronto. Neither team is coming off a game it wants to remember.
The difference is that Vegas has been much better over the first few weeks. One bad night in St. Louis doesn’t erase that. The Golden Knights visit the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET. Vegas is favored around -127, with Columbus at +117. A reliable sportsbook total wasn’t confirmed in the sources checked. Find more predictions on our free NHL picks page.
Vegas Golden Knights Need To Bounce Back
Vegas is 8-4-0 after losing 6-2 to St. Louis on Thursday. The Golden Knights had been one of the best teams in the Western Conference before that defeat, and there’s no reason to panic over one bad game. Still, allowing six goals isn’t what anybody wants to see before another road game. Vegas has gone 3-2-0 away from home.
The Golden Knights have been scoring at a strong pace, averaging better than three and a half goals per game. They also generate plenty of shots and spend a lot of time in the offensive zone. The problem Thursday was keeping St. Louis from getting quality chances. Vegas has also had some trouble on the penalty kill, which has been operating around 74%. Columbus hasn’t been dangerous on the power play, though, so that matchup favors the visitors.
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Jack Eichel has 18 points through 12 games, and Mark Stone has eight goals. Mitch Marner has been another important playmaker, although his availability needs checking after a personal absence appeared on the injury report. Stone and Eichel give Vegas enough offense to win games even when the rest of the lineup isn’t producing. Parker Wotherspoon is out with an upper-body injury, while Victor Olofsson and Kai Uchacz are also sidelined. Vegas isn’t completely healthy, but the top-end talent is still there.
Columbus Blue Jackets Have Some Work To Do
Columbus is 3-5-0 after losing 6-2 to Toronto in its last game. The Blue Jackets have dropped two straight and are 3-3-0 at home. They opened the season by beating Buffalo 6-3, but the offense hasn’t been nearly as productive since. Columbus has scored just 19 goals through eight games.
The Blue Jackets are averaging 2.38 goals while allowing 3.63 per game. That’s not a good combination against a Vegas team with Eichel, Stone and Marner. Columbus has also struggled on special teams. The power play has converted fewer than 12% of its chances, and the penalty kill has been around 68%. Giving Vegas extra opportunities with the man advantage would be asking for trouble.
Kent Johnson leads Columbus with four goals, while Zach Werenski has six assists from the blue line. Werenski is important to the Blue Jackets’ transition game and power play, but he can’t do everything himself. Jet Greaves has been inconsistent in goal, and the defense has been dealing with injuries. Ivan Provorov and Dante Fabbro are out, along with Isac Lundestrom and Caleb MacDonald. That’s a lot of missing pieces for a club already having trouble keeping opponents off the scoreboard.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Columbus Blue Jackets Picks and Predictions
Vegas Golden Knights Moneyline (-127)
I’ll take Vegas to bounce back. Columbus has home ice and extra rest, which matters, especially with the Golden Knights coming off a rough game in St. Louis. But Vegas has been the better team, has more scoring talent, and should have a big advantage on special teams. Eichel and Stone are capable of taking over a game against a defense that’s allowed nearly four goals per night. I’ll lay the -127 rather than expecting Columbus to turn things around Saturday.
Over 5.5 Goals — Price Pending
I’ll lean over 5.5 if that number is available. Vegas just gave up six to St. Louis, and Columbus allowed six to Toronto. The Blue Jackets have been poor defensively, and their penalty kill is a major concern against Vegas. Columbus doesn’t score much, so the risk is that the Golden Knights win 4-1 and leave us a goal short. I think the home team can contribute a couple. Vegas 4, Columbus 2 is my call. At 6.5, I’d be more cautious.
Final Picks: Vegas Golden Knights Moneyline (-127) and Over 5.5 Goals (price pending)
This preview was completed October 23, 2026. Betting lines, injuries, and starting goaltenders may change before puck drop.
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