
Rangers vs Blue Jackets Prediction 1/18/25 NHL Picks Today
Columbus Blue Jackets (22-17-6) vs. NY Rangers (21-20-3)
January 18, 2025 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: NY Rangers -192 / Columbus Blue Jackets 160; Over/Under: 6.5
(Get latest betting odds)
In this article, we will formulate a Rangers vs Blue Jackets Prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, January 18th at Madison Square Garden. Let’s take a look at a New York Rangers vs Columbus Blue Jackets pick.
Blue Jackets are on Fire
The Blue Jackets have been inconsistent at times this season, but they are coming off six straight wins. In the last game against the San Jose Sharks, the Blue Jackets scored four goals, and they ended up winning by three goals. James van Riemsdyk had a strong game scoring two goals. Elvis Merzlikins was in goal and saved 18 of the 19 shots that he faced. Goaltending is going ot need to be strong again in this game.
The Blue Jackets are averaging 3.38 goals, while their defense is giving up 3.42 goals per game. The offense is ranked 4th in the league while the defense is ranked 29th. They are averaging 30.24 shots per game which is 6th best in the league. They are shooting 11.24 percent which is 8th best in the league. Elvis Merzilkins is expected to start in goal and he sits with a 16-10-3 record and he’s giving up 3.05 goals per game.
Why the Blue Jackets Will Beat the Rangers
- The Rangers have lost each of their last seven games at Madison Square Garden following a road win.
- The Blue Jackets have won each of their last six games.
- The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine games as underdogs.
- The Rangers have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The underdogs have won the first period in four of the Rangers’ last five games at Madison Square Garden.
Rangers Look for Second Straight Win
The Rangers in the last game faced off against the Utah Hockey Club and they scored five goals while the defense gave up three goals and they ended up winning two goals. Artemi Panarin scored two goals. Igor Shesterkin was in gaol and he saved 28 of the 31 shots that he faced. Two games ago against the Colorado Avalanche, they weren’t as lucky, and they ended up losing 3-2.
The Rangers are averaging 2.93 goals while their defense is giving up 3.11 goals per game. The offense is ranked 19th in the league while the defense is ranked 20th. They are averaging 29.14 shots per game which is 7th best in the league. In this game, the offense is going to need to get out ot a fast start. Artemi Panarin is having a strong season with the Rangers, and he has scored 19 goals and added 28 assists.
Getting the start for the Rangers will be Igor Shesterkin and he comes into this game with a 14-15-2 record overall and he is giving up 2.97 goals per game.
Rangers vs Blue Jackets Prediction
Give me the visiting team here. The Blue Jackets have all kinds of confidence right now and their offense has been elite. The Blue Jackets are averaging 3.38 goals per game which is 45th in the league and they are going to get out to a fast start here. The Rangers offense is going ot have no answer and the Blue Jackets are going to come out on top. Back the Blue Jackets on the puck line.