The New York Rangers will play the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday night at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. New York has won 10 games in a row, while Columbus has alternated wins and losses over their last five games. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Rangers vs Blue Jackets prediction.
Rangers Preview
The New York Rangers are 39-16-3 this season after they defeated the Flyers by a score of 2-1 in their last game. New York allowed the Flyers to tie the game at one in the third period, but they scored a few minutes later and barely hung on for the win. The Rangers were out shot by a total of 40-24 and went 0-5 on the power play in the game. New York has won 10 games in a row and they have allowed two goals or fewer in seven of them. The Rangers are scoring 3.37 goals per game and they are allowing 2.74 goals against per game, while going 25.8% on the power play and 82.8% on the penalty kill. Artemi Panarin has led New York with 32 goals, 46 assists, and 209 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for New York is Jonathan Quick, who is 13-4-2 this season with a 2.36 goals against average and a .917 save percentage.
Blue Jackets Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets are 18-28-10 this year after they lost to Buffalo by a score of 2-1 in their last game. Columbus led 1-0 in the first period, but couldn’t find any more offense in the loss. The Blue Jackets were out shot by a total of 37-26 and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Columbus defeated Anaheim by a score of 7-4 in the game prior to Buffalo, but lost to the Kings before that. The Blue Jackets are scoring 2.93 goals per game and they are allowing 3.70 goals against per game, while going 14.3% on the power play and 76.4% on the penalty kill. Johnny Gaudreau has led Columbus with eight goals, 32 assists, and 114 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Columbus is Elvis Merzlikins, who is 10-12-7 this year with a 3.33 goals against average and a .900 save percentage.
Columbus Blue Jackets Team Facts
- The Blue Jackets have lost 15 of their last 16 night games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine games as home underdogs following a home loss.
- The Blue Jackets have lost the third period in seven of their last eight night games at Nationwide Arena against opponents on a winning streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Blue Jackets’ last 11 Sunday at Nationwide Arena.
New York Rangers Team Facts
- The Rangers have won each of their last 10 games.
- The home team has covered the puck line in eight of the Rangers’ last nine games.
- The Rangers have won the second period in seven of their last eight games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in eight of the Rangers’ last nine games at Nationwide Arena.
Rangers vs Blue Jackets Betting Prediction
Columbus comes into this game in last place in the Metropolitan Division and they are only 9-15-4 at home this year. The Rangers have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL over the last 10 games, but they will be on a back to back here. New York is currently leading the Metro standings and they are playing very well on both ends of the ice. Columbus has struggled a lot this season and their special teams are a big part of the problem. Take the Rangers -1.5 in this game.