N.Y. Rangers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, Preview, and Odds

A pair of teams from the Metropolitan Division lock up on the ice in search of a victory in the Buckeye State. The New York Rangers are on the road as they travel to face the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night. New York opened their season with an emphatic 5-1 demolition of Buffalo on the road Thursday night. Columbus battled but ended up falling short against Philadelphia, losing 4-2 at home Thursday night in their season opener. In the last 10 meetings between the teams, the Rangers have a 7-3 advantage and have won the last three meetings. That includes a 4-0 victory on the road in the most recent matchup on April 8.

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New York Rangers Look for Second Straight Road Win to Start Season

New York took care of business against Buffalo on the road as they had success on the power play, at even strength and on the penalty kill. The Rangers now head on the road and look to make it two straight victories away from Madison Square Garden to open the season. New York entered Friday tied for second in the league with an average of five goals per game. The Rangers are tied for second by allowing one goal per game this season. New York is tied for sixth when it comes to success with the man advantage as they have converted 25% of their power play opportunities this season. The Rangers are tied for 1 in the league by successfully navigating 100% of their shorthanded situations on the season.

Against Buffalo Thursday night, New York jumped in front early and controlled the contest throughout to earn the victory. The Rangers owned a 12-7 advantage in shots on goal in the opening period and skated to the dressing room with a 2-0 edge on the scoreboard after 20 minutes of play. Alexis Lafreniere opened the scoring with his first goal of the season at 3:47 off assists from Artemi Panarin and Jacob Trouba. Later in the stanza, Chris Kreider made it 2-0 with his first goal of the year at 12:22, on the power play, with assists going to Adam Fox and Mika Zibanejad. In the second period, New York owned a 9-5 shot advantage with both teams scoring once, leaving them ahead 3-1 after 40 minutes of play. Panarin made it a 3-0 game with his first goal of the season, unassisted, at 12:49 of the period. The Rangers gave up a goal late in the period to trim their lead to two. In the third period, New York was outshot 13-10 but outscored Buffalo 2-0 to put the game away. Kreider made it 4-1 with his second goal of the night and the season, shorthanded, at 11:34 with assists going to Zibanejad and K’Andre Miller. Trouba closed the scoring with his first goal of the year at 18:31 off assists from Kreider and Zibanejad, into an empty net. Igor Shesterkin made 24 saves for the Rangers, who held a 31-25 advantage in shots on goal, to earn his 100 career victory. He is expected to be between the pipes in this contest as well.

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Columbus Blue Jackets Trying to Earn First Win of 2023-24 Season

Columbus had their opportunities against Philadelphia in their home opener but couldn’t get enough offense to earn the win. The Blue Jackets hope to rebound at home for game two and get into the win column for the first time in the 2023-24 season. Columbus is tied for 22 in goals per game as they score an average of two goals per game. The Blue Jackets are tied for 22 in goals against as they surrender an average of four goals per contest. Columbus is tied for 18 in power play success as they have converted zero percent of their chances with the man advantage. The Blue Jackets are tied for 1 in the league in penalty killing by successfully working through 100% of their shorthanded situations on the year.

Against Philadelphia, Columbus had their opportunities but were unable to come up with enough offense to put the game in the win column. The Blue Jackets held a 15-13 advantage in shots on goal in the opening period but went to the dressing room down 2-1 after 20 minutes of play. After falling behind 1-0 early, Jake Bean evened the score with his first goal of the season at 8:24 off assists from Adam Fantilli (his first career NHL point) and Kirill Marchenko. The Blue Jackets gave up the go-ahead goal later in the period. In the second period, the Blue Jackets were outshot 14-9 with neither side denting the twine, leaving the score 2-1 in favor of the Flyers after 40 minutes of play. The third period saw Columbus outshot 10-9 and outscored 2-1 to take the loss. After giving up an empty net goal to trail 3-1, Patrik Laine got the Blue Jackets within a goal again with his first goal of the season at 19:16 off assists from Marchenko and Boone Jenner. That was as close as Columbus would get as they gave up an empty net goal in the final second to close the scoring. Elvis Merzlikins made 33 saves for the Blue Jackets, who were outshot 37-33, in the loss. He is expected to get the start in goal again here.

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Full-Game Side Bet

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New York put together a solid showing in their whipping of Buffalo in their season opener on the road and now get to face a Columbus team that has plenty of issues. The Blue Jackets played tough hockey for coach Pascal Vincent but they were unable to put the game in the win column. There aren’t a ton of big offensive weapons for Columbus, who also lost defenseman Zach Werenski to injured reserve with a quad contusion. That’s a blow for the Blue Jackets as he is the team’s anchor on the blue line. New York has depth and plenty of weapons offensively, backstopped by an elite goaltender. The Rangers should take care of business here and put this one in the win column as they roll to a 2-0 mark.

Prediction: New York Rangers -1.5 (+130)

Full-Game Total Pick

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New York fell under the total in their season opening game. Last season, the Rangers saw the under post a 44-35-3 record. The average total in their games last season was 5.96 goals per game and that number cratered to 5.73 goals per game on the road. In the opener, the Blue Jackets fell under the total as they finished with a total of six goals against the number of 6.5 goals. Columbus saw the over post a 43-36-3 record in their games last season. The Blue Jackets saw an average total of 6.54 goals per game, mainly due to their horrific play in their own end. Columbus saw that number climb to 6.63 goals per game on home ice while getting outscored by 46 goals in those games. Shesterkin should keep the Blue Jackets in check, which helps keep this game under the total.

Prediction: Under 6.5

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