Blue Jackets vs Rangers Prediction NHL Picks 2/28/24
The Columbus Blue Jackets will play the New York Rangers on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden in New York. Columbus has alternated wins and losses over their last six games, while New York has won 10 of their last 11 games. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Blue Jackets vs Rangers prediction.
Blue Jackets Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets are 19-28-10 this year after they defeated the Rangers by a score of 4-2 in their last game. Columbus allowed the Rangers to tie the game at two in the second period, but they were able to score the last two goals for the win. The Blue Jackets out shot New York by a total of 41-40 and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Columbus lost to Buffalo by a score of 2-1 in the game prior to New York, but did beat Anaheim before that. The Blue Jackets are scoring 2.95 goals per game and they are allowing 3.67 goals against per game, while going 14.6% on the power play and 76.6% on the penalty kill. Johnny Gaudreau has led Columbus with eight goals, 34 assists, and 114 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Columbus is Elvis Merzlikins, who is 11-12-7 this season with a 3.29 goals against average and a .902 save percentage.
Rangers Preview
The New York Rangers are 39-17-3 this season after they lost to Columbus by a score of 4-2 in their last game. New York got goals from Panarin and Edstrom, but it wasn’t enough to continue their long winning streak. The Rangers recorded 40 shots on goal and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. New York had won their previous 10 games, allowing two goals or fewer in seven of them. The Rangers are scoring 3.32 goals per game and they are allowing 2.73 goals against per game, while going 24.9% on the power play and 82.9% on the penalty kill. Artemi Panarin has led New York with 33 goals, 46 assists, and 214 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for New York is Igor Shesterkin, who is 25-12-1 this year with a 2.70 goals against average and a .909 save percentage.
New York Rangers Player Prop Facts
- Vincent Trocheck has scored a goal in three of the Rangers' last four night games.
- Blake Wheeler has recorded at least one point in each of his last nine home appearances against the Blue Jackets.
- Blake Wheeler has recorded at least one assist in each of his last seven home appearances against the Blue Jackets.
- Alexis Lafreniere has scored two goals against the Blue Jackets this season - equal-most against any opponent.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Dmitri Voronkov has scored a goal in each of his last three appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Patrik Laine has recorded at least one point in each of his last seven Wednesday appearances.
- Kirill Marchenko has recorded an assist in each of his last four appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Dmitri Voronkov has scored the first goal in each of his last three appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Justin Danforth has scored two goals against the Rangers this season - equal-most against any opponent.
Matchup/League Facts
- The New York Rangers are one of three teams to rank in the top 10 for both goals scored and goals conceded per game this season.
- The New York Rangers rank 5th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (82.94%).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 31st in the league for goals against per game this season (3.67).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 29th in the league in power play percentage this season (14.63%).
Blue Jackets vs Rangers Betting Prediction
New York has been one of the hottest teams in the NHL over the last few weeks, but they couldn’t keep the winning streak going in Columbus in their last game. The Rangers will be looking for revenge on the Blue Jackets here, but now they will have the home ice advantage, where they are 20-7-0 this season. Columbus is only 9-13-6 on the road and they are in last place in the Metropolitan standings. The Blue Jackets are allowing 3.67 goals against per game this season and I think they are in for a rough time here. Take New York to win by a couple of goals.
