2025 NHL Stadium Series Columbus vs. Detroit Betting
On March 1, 2025, a new chapter in the legendary Ohio State-Michigan college football rivalry will be written. This time, it will be NHL-style. The Columbus Blue Jackets will host the Detroit Red Wings in the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium.
The 102,780-seat stadium, known as the "Horseshoe" because of its shape, opened officially on Oct. 7, 1922, with an Ohio State football game against Wesleyan University. It is the 12th-oldest college football stadium in the United States—the rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State dates to 1897. Commonly referred to as "The Game," it was played annually between the schools from 1918-2019 before it was interrupted in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed the following year.
It will be the Blue Jackets’ first NHL outdoor game. The Red Wings have played four; they are 2-0-2, last appearing in the NHL Centennial Classic in Toronto on Jan. 1, 2017.
The Red Wings hosted the most-attended game in NHL history; the 2014 NHL Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium, home of the University of Michigan football team, had 105,491 fans in attendance when Detroit lost 3-2 to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a shootout on Jan. 1, 2014.
According to the NCAA, Ohio Stadium is currently the third-largest on-campus college football stadium in the U.S., behind Michigan Stadium (107,601) and Beaver Stadium on the campus of Penn State University (106,572). Ohio Stadium is 180 miles from Michigan Stadium. The largest crowd to see an event at Ohio Stadium was 110,045 for an Ohio State-Michigan football game on Nov. 26, 2016.
NHL Stadium Series Betting Lines
2025 Stadium Series Matchup Overview
On Saturday, March 1, 2025, the Columbus Blue Jackets will host the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. Faceoff time is 6 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN.
Not only is this emerging rivalry the feature outdoor game for the 2025 season, but it will also have significant playoff implications. As February began, the Red Wings and Blue Jackets were in a fight with the Ottawa Senators, Tampa Baty Lightning, Boston Bruins, New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins for the final two Eastern Conference playoff sports. Only six points separated these contenders.
Of course, the Red Wings are the bigger NHL brand. They are an Original Six franchise with 11 Stanley Cup championships, including four from 1997 through 2008.
In recent years, the Red Wings have been rebuilding and are finally beginning to show the fruits of their labor. This year, the Red Wings were forced to fire head coach Derek Lalonde after a 13-17-4 start. Todd McLellan took over and went 12-4-1 in his first 15 games to jumpstart the Detroit playoff push.
Columbus has labored in relative anonymity since its berth as 1 2000-01 expansion team. First-year head coach Dean Evason has his team in a prime position to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
The Stadium Series matchup against Detroit is an excellent opportunity for the Blue Jackets to gain credibility and national attention.
Columbus Blue Jackets Team Overview
The season started horrifically for the Blue Jackets when RW Johnny Goudreau was tragically killed in a biking accident over the summer. Fans and gamblers were excited about his potential to turn around the franchise. He is being honored by the club this year.
D Zach Werenski leads Columbus with 15 goals, 36 assists, 51 points, and a +9. Werenski has played for the CBJ since 2016 and is a 2-time All-Star. Meanwhile, RW Kirill Marchenko has a team-best 18 goals, 32 assists, 50 points, and a +26. He has been with Columbus since 2022-23. Also, C Sean Monahan has 14 goals, 27 assists, 41 points, and a +17.
Number one goaltender Elvis Merzlikins has a 3.06 goals against average and a .890 save percentage this year. His record is 16-11-3 with one shutout.
Detroit Red Wings Team Overview
RW Lucas Raymond led the Red Wings last year with 31 goals, 41 assists, and a -12. The native of Sweden was on the 2022 NHL All-Rookie Team. So far this season, Raymond has 19 goals, 32 assists, and 51 points to lead the team.
C Dylan Larkin has been a regular with the Red Wings since 2015. Last year he scored a career-best 33 goals with 36 assists and 69 points. Larkin is a 3-time All-Star. He has scored 31 or more goals in the past three seasons. Larkin began this season with 20 goals, 23 assists, and 43 points.
LW Alex DeBrincat joined the Red Wings last season. In his first season with the Red Wings, DeBrincat scored 27 goals, 40 assists, and 67 points. DeBrincat is a 2-time NHL All-Star, including last year. So far this season, DeBrincat has 19 goals, 18 assists and 37 points.
D Moritz Seider scored nine goals, 33 assists, and 42 points last season and made the 2022 NHL All-Rookie Team. This year, he has four goals, 24 assists, and 28 points.
Number one goaltender Cam Talbot has been a journeyman who is now with his eighth team. Talbot is a two-time NHL All-Star, including last year. So far, Talbot has a 3.07 goals against average and a .901 save percentage. His record is 11-10-2 with one shutout.
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