Columbus vs Vegas Prediction 14 December 2025
🔊 Columbus will host Vegas on their home ice as part of the NHL regular season. The hosts are enduring one setback after another and are rapidly losing ground in the Eastern standings. The visitors, on the other hand, have gained significant momentum and have already seized the lead in the Pacific Division. Despite being on the road, they are expected to be the favorites in the upcoming clash.
Head-to-Head
In 2025, though not in the current season, the rivals clashed twice and traded away victories. Columbus narrowly secured a win in Nevada (2-1 OT), before Vegas emphatically settled the score in Ohio (4-0). The hero of the second encounter was goaltender Adin Hill, who managed to stop all 27 shots on his goal. However, this time he will be unable to participate due to an injury.
Head-to-head statistics Columbus - Vegas

Columbus Blue Jackets Team Overview
Dean Evason's squad are going through a significant slump. The hosts have suffered eight defeats in their last ten games, including a current streak of four consecutive losses. This dismal run has understandably dropped the team to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. While the tight competition offers them a glimmer of hope for recovery, their quality of play leaves much to be desired. Columbus have conceded 109 goals, the worst record in the conference. The issue isn't solely with the goaltenders; there are evident systemic problems in their defensive zone play.
Match Results: Columbus Blue Jackets

Vegas Golden Knights Team Overview
The Nevada club had a shaky start, but they've gradually hit their stride. In their last eight games, they've suffered just one regulation loss and secured five victories. This surge has understandably propelled them into the ranks of the Western leaders. However, it's worth noting that Bruce Cassidy's squad could improve their scoring output. They've managed only 93 goals, which is significantly less than their direct competitors. Yet, there are internal opportunities for progress. For instance, star newcomer Mitch Marner has only tallied 29 points.
Match Results: Vegas Golden Knights
🏒 Projected Lineups
Columbus: Merzlikins - Werenski, Provorov - Voronkov, Monahan, Marchenko
Vegas: Schmid - Theodore, McNabb - Bowman, Eichel, Barbashev
🥅 Goalies
Columbus goaltender Elvis Merzlikins is having a rough season. The Latvian netminder is saving just 87.8% of shots on average, with a goals-against average of 4.03. Both stats are alarmingly low, and his underwhelming performance between the pipes is one reason behind the team's struggles.
Vegas goalie Akira Schmid has played 17 games this season and boasts respectable numbers. The Swiss goaltender is saving 90.3% of shots on average and has already recorded two shutouts. Solid stats, but with Carter Hart joining the roster, Schmid's playing time is expected to decrease gradually.