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Blue Jackets vs. Golden Knights prediction: Vegas favored to win Thursday's NHL matchup [1/8/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Jason Bevilacqua, Head of Content and Communities
Get Columbus Blue Jackets vs Vegas Golden Knights predictions for NHL Thursday.
The Vegas Golden Knights and Columbus bluejackets will lock horns in the NHL at T-Mobile Arena on Thursday, starting at 10:00 PM ET.
Based on the latest simulation results, Dimers' proven NHL model predicts the Golden Knights as the most likely winner of the Blue Jackets vs. Golden Knights game.
This article offers further insights into Thursday's matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Blue Jackets vs. Golden Knights prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using powerful machine learning and statistical analysis, we have simulated the result of Thursday's NHL game between the Blue Jackets and Golden Knights 10,000 times as part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our famous predictive model gives the Golden Knights a 57% chance of defeating the Blue Jackets.
According to our model, the Blue Jackets (+1.5) have a 64% chance of covering the puck line, while the 6.5-goal over/under has a 54% chance of staying under.
Blue Jackets vs. Golden Knights odds
We have researched the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Blue Jackets | Golden Knights |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-194) | -1.5 (+165) |
| Moneyline | +126 | -135 |
| Total | o6.5 (-102) | u6.5 (-115) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Blue Jackets vs. Golden Knights picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | Golden Knights -1.5 | +165 |
| Moneyline | Golden Knights | -135 |
| Total | Under 6.5 | -115 |
According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Under 6.5 total goals.
Blue Jackets vs. Golden Knights player props
Who will score a goal in Blue Jackets vs. Golden Knights?
According to our model, Jack Eichel is most likely to score an anytime goal in Blue Jackets vs. Golden Knights.
Our projections give Eichel a 35.1% chance of scoring a goal at T-Mobile Arena, while the star is a 6.8% chance of registering the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
Columbus Blue Jackets
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Adam Fantilli | 31.1% |
| Kirill Marchenko | 28.8% |
| Zach Werenski | 24.0% |
| Dmitri Voronkov | 21.3% |
| Boone Jenner | 21.2% |
Vegas Golden Knights
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Jack Eichel | 35.1% |
| Pavel Dorofeyev | 31.8% |
| Mark Stone | 30.6% |
| Tomas Hertl | 30.2% |
| Mitch Marner | 25.5% |
First goal scorer predictions
Columbus Blue Jackets
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Adam Fantilli | 6.1% |
| Kirill Marchenko | 5.4% |
| Zach Werenski | 4.6% |
| Mathieu Olivier | 3.7% |
| Dmitri Voronkov | 3.5% |
Vegas Golden Knights
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Jack Eichel | 6.8% |
| Pavel Dorofeyev | 6.6% |
| Mark Stone | 5.8% |
| Tomas Hertl | 5.1% |
| Mitch Marner | 4.9% |
Blue Jackets vs. Golden Knights game-day updates and essential details
Thursday's action between the Golden Knights and Blue Jackets at T-Mobile Arena is scheduled to start at 10:00 PM ET.
- Who: Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Vegas Golden Knights
- Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026
- Time: 10:00 PM ET/7:00PM PT
- Venue: T-Mobile Arena
Conclusion
We predict the Golden Knights, with a 57% win probability, will likely beat the Blue Jackets on Thursday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Blue Jackets vs. Golden Knights insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are based on up-to-date data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Jason Bevilacqua, an expert in MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS, and NFL, delivers game previews, best bets, and props. Since 2020, as Head of Social and Community at Dimers, he has contributed insightful articles utilizing data-driven models and simulations.
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