Rangers vs Blue Jackets Prediction

pickdawgz.com

14 October 2023

The New York Rangers will play the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. New York won their season opener against Buffalo, while Columbus lost to the Flyers at home.

Rangers Preview

The New York Rangers are 1-0-0 this season after they defeated the Buffalo Sabres by a score of 5-1 in their first game. New York scored the first three goals in the game and really poured it on in the third period. The Rangers got goals from Lafreniere, Kreider (2), Panarin, and Trouba in the win. New York outshot Buffalo by a total of 31-25 and won 63.3% of the face-offs. The Rangers went 1-4 on the power play and the recorded a shorthanded goal in the game. Chris Kreider recorded two goals, one assist, and three shots on goal in the win. Igor Shesterkin saved 24 out of 25 shots, for a save percentage of .960. The projected starting goalie for the Rangers in this matchup is Shesterkin.

Blue Jackets Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets are 0-1-0 this year after they lost to the Philadelphia Flyers by a score of 4-2 in their last game. Columbus tied the game at one early in the first period, but they went into the first intermission down 2-1. The Blue Jackets weren’t able to score in the second period and were out scored 2-1 in the third for the loss. Columbus got goals from Jake Bean and Patrik Laine in the game. The Blue Jackets were out shot by a total of 37-33 and went 0-4 on the power play. Columbus won 53.7% of the face-offs and recorded 15 hits. Patrik Laine led the Blue Jackets with one goal, five shots on goal, and two blocked shots. Elvis Merzlikins is the projected starting goalie and he saved 33 out of 35 shots against the Flyers.

Columbus Blue Jackets Team Facts

The Blue Jackets have won each of their last three games as home underdogs following a home loss.
The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in six of their last seven games as underdogs following a home loss.
The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 1' market has hit in seven of the Blue Jackets' last eight home games against the Rangers.
The Blue Jackets have lost the first period in 12 of their last 13 night games at Nationwide Arena following a loss.

New York Rangers Team Facts

The Rangers have won seven of their last eight night games against opponents on a losing streak.
The Rangers have covered the puck line in five of their last six night games at Nationwide Arena.
The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 1' market has hit in seven of the Rangers' last eight games at Nationwide Arena.
The Rangers have won the first period in each of their last three games against the Blue Jackets following a road win.

Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts

Patrik Laine has scored a goal in each of his last four appearances at Nationwide Arena.
Patrik Laine has recorded at least one point in each of his last six appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
Adam Boqvist has recorded an assist in four of his last five home appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
Kirill Marchenko ranks T2nd in the league for multi-point game (1) this season.

New York Rangers Player Prop Facts

Nick Bonino has scored a goal in each of his last three appearances in night games at Nationwide Arena.
Blake Wheeler has recorded at least one point in 14 of his last 16 appearances against the Blue Jackets.
Blake Wheeler has recorded an assist in five of his last six appearances against the Blue Jackets.
Mika Zibanejad ranks T1st in the league for multi-assist game (1) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

The Columbus Blue Jackets ranks T1st in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (0).
The Columbus Blue Jackets ranks T6th in the league in short handed goals this season (0).
The New York Rangers ranks T2nd in the league for goals per game this season (5.00).
The New York Rangers ranks T1st in the league for power play goals against this season (0).

Pick

The Blue Jackets started the season off with a loss to the Flyers, but they played pretty well in the game and allowed two empty net goals. Columbus did suffer a pretty big injury, as Zach Werenski is out for a while. New York was able to get a comfortable win against the Sabres in their season opener and they are lined up for another solid season. I like the Rangers to get the win in this game, but there isn’t much value on that, so I am going to look at the total. The Blue Jackets only scored two goals in their first game and will be facing a better defensive team here. Take the under in this matchup.