Nationwide Arena plays host to an intriguing showdown as the Columbus Blue Jackets square off against the visiting New York Rangers. MSG Network will broadcast this Metropolitan Division matchup, which gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, February 14.
New York Rangers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
Moneyline and Over/Under (O/U) odds have not yet been posted for this matchup.
The Blue Jackets are 30-28 straight-up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 6.0 units this year. That early-season winning percentage is a slide from what the team recorded during the 2018-19 season (47-35). Through 58 regular season outings, 37 of the team’s games 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 season, a figure that’s ranked 28th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 10th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.7 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Columbus has been whistled for penalties just 3.1 times per game overall this season, and 2.3 per game over its last ten contests. The team has had to kill penalties for just 5.6 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 25.7 saves per game with a .913 save percentage, Joonas Korpisalo (17 wins, 15 losses, and five OT losses) has been the most dependable option in goal for the Blue Jackets this year. If they choose to rest him, however, the team could turn to Elvis Merzlikins (12-14-14 record, .930 save percentage, 2.19 goals against average).
Pierre-Luc Dubois and Gustav Nyquist will both spearhead the attack for the Blue Jackets. Dubois (43 points) has tallied 17 goals and 26 assists and has recorded two or more points nine times this year. Nyquist has 12 goals and 23 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 27 contests.
On the other hand, New York is 29-27 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 7.5 units this year. Through 56 regular season outings, 28 of its games have gone under the total, while 25 have gone over and just two have pushed. As a road team this season, New York is 13-13 SU.
New York has converted on 23.7 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure 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 opponent power plays.
New York’s skaters have been penalized 4.4 times per game this season, and 2.8 per game over their past ten match ups. The team has been forced 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 overtime losses to his credit.
Artemi Panarin (29 goals, 47 assists) has been one of the top facilitators on offense for the visiting Rangers.
New York Rangers at Columbus Blue Jackets Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- The total has gone under 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 home outings.
- 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 spend more time in the box 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 this season with 6.4 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended down recently, however, as it has averaged 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 brought that figure down to 1.7 per match up over the team’s three-game winning streak.
- New York skaters have averaged 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 league).
