Nassau Coliseum will be the site for an enticing showdown as the New York Islanders take on the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets. This divisional matchup gets started at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, December 23 and it can be seen live on MSG Network.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New York Islanders Odds
Oddsmakers have not yet posted moneyline or Over/Under odds for this matchup.
Earning 11.0 units for moneyline bettors, the Islanders are 23-11 straight up (SU) overall this year. That win percentage, the league’s second-strongest so far this season, is an improvement compared to what the team managed during the 2018-19 season (48-34). Of its 34 games this season, 13 have gone under the total, while 13 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team is 13-5 SU at home this year.
New York’s connected on 22.0 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s good enough for ninth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 20th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.4 percent of all penalties.
New York, as a collective unit, has been penalized 3.5 times per game overall this season, and 5.0 per game over its past five match ups. The team’s had to kill penalties for a whopping 16.2 minutes per game over its last five outings, in total.
Averaging 25.2 saves per game with a .919 save percentage, Semyon Varlamov (13-8-3) has been the most dependable goalkeeper for the Islanders this season. If head coach Barry Trotz chooses to rest him, however, the team may turn to Thomas Greiss (11-6-6 record, .924 save percentage, 2.39 goals against average).
The Isles will continue to look for offensive production via Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson. Barzal (30 points) has put up 15 goals and 15 assists and has recorded two or more points seven times this year. Nelson has 13 goals and 15 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 16 contests.
Columbus has lost 2.5 units for moneyline bettors thus far and is currently 16-20 straight up (SU). A total of 20 of its contests have gone under the total, while 15 have gone over and just one has pushed. As the away team, Columbus is 5-11 SU so far.
Columbus has converted on just 17.1 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that places it in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 15th overall and it’s successfully killed off 80.6 percent of all penalties.
Columbus’ skaters have been whistled for penalties 3.3 times per game in total this season, and 4.2 per game over their past five outings. The team’s been forced to kill penalties 8.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Joonas Korpisalo (2.56 goals against average and .910 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Columbus. Korpisalo is averaging 25.0 saves per game and owns a 16-13-3 record.
Gustav Nyquist (nine goals, 17 assists) has been one of the most vital playmakers on offense for the visiting Blue Jackets.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New York Islanders Free Picks
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- Over Columbus’ last ten games, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 4-2 in those games).
- The Islanders this season have tallied the most hits per game in the NHL (29.9), but that number has jumped up to 34.8 over their past five home games.
