A couple of teams that have put themselves firmly in playoff contention, the New York Rangers and the Columbus Blue Jackets clash at Nationwide Arena. The match will get going at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, February 14, and fans at home can witness this divisional matchup live on MSG Network.
New York Rangers at Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
The Blue Jackets are 30-28 straight up (SU) and have netted 6.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a slide from what the team recorded during the 2018-19 season (47-35). Of its 58 regular season matches, 37 have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team is 18-13 SU at home this season.
Columbus has converted on just 16.5 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that puts the team in the bottom-5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 10th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.7 percent of all penalties.
Columbus, as a collective unit, has been called for penalties just 3.1 times per game overall this season, and 2.3 per game over its last ten games. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for just 5.6 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, overall.
Boasting a .913 save percentage and 25.7 saves per game, Joonas Korpisalo (17-15-5) has been the principal option in goal for the Blue Jackets this season. If the Jackets choose to give him a breather, however, head coach John Tortorella may go with Elvis Merzlikins (12-14-14 record, .930 save percentage, 2.19 goals against average).
Pierre-Luc Dubois and Gustav Nyquist will both lead the offensive attack for the Blue Jackets. Dubois (43 points) is up to 17 goals and 26 assists and has recorded two or more points on nine different occasions this year. Nyquist has 12 goals and 23 assists to his name and has notched a point in 27 games.
New York has earned 7.5 units for moneyline bettors this year and is currently 29-27 straight up (SU). Through 56 regular season matches, 28 of its games have gone under the total, while 25 have gone over and just two have pushed. New York’s 13-13 SU as the visiting team this season.
New York has scored on 23.7 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s good enough for seventh-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 19th overall and it’s successfully defended 79.1 percent of all penalties.
New York’s skaters have been called for penalties 4.4 times per game this season, and 2.8 per game over their past ten match ups. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays just 5.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Henrik Lundqvist (.907 save percentage and 3.12 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for New York. Lundqvist is averaging 27.6 saves per game and has 11 wins, 17 losses, and three OT losses to his credit.
Artemi Panarin (29 goals, 47 assists) has been one of the primary playmakers on offense for the visiting Rangers.
New York Rangers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
The under has hit in four of Columbus’ last five games.
New York has managed 29.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Columbus is averaging 36.4 shots per game over its last five at home.
The Blue Jackets are 9-10 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Rangers are 13-15 SU in games where they serve more minutes than their opponent.
New York is 1-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Columbus is 0-2 in shootouts.
Columbus is ranked 27th in the league with 6.4 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended lower recently, however, as it has managed 5.3 takeaways over its last 10 games and 3.6 takeaways over its last five.
New York has allowed 3.2 goals per game overall this season, but has gotten that figure down 1.7 per contest over their three-game winning streak.
New York skaters have managed 7.0 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 8.3 takeaways per game (ranked ninth in the NHL).