New York Rangers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, Betting Odds, and Our Best Bet

The New York Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets face off in a tight battle with serious playoff implications on the line. Both teams sit at 70 points, locked in a tight race for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. With only 16 games left, this is the type of game that could define the rest of the season for both teams. With so much on the line, it feels like it’s primed for some great bets.

The Rangers enter as slight favorites with -122 on the moneyline, while the Blue Jackets are close behind with near even odds at -101 which just goes to show how tight this matchup is expected to be.

New York has taken 2 of the 3 meetings this season, but Columbus dominated the most recent game with a 7-3 blowout win less than a week ago.

Both teams have been somewhat inconsistent, making this a difficult game to predict, but as we look into some of their numbers, we can see that one of them will walk away with 2 points.

The Rangers are coming off a shootout win against Minnesota, while Columbus has lost 3 of its last 5. So, there’s a little momentum with the Rangers at this point. With so much at stake, we expect a hard-fought, physical game that could go either way.

Betting Analysis: Who Has the Edge?

The Rangers have been a streaky team this season. However, when they play well, they can compete with anyone — even the tough teams. Their biggest strength is undoubtedly their goaltending, led by Igor Shesterkin. While his 2.85 GAA and .906 save percentage aren’t as good as some of the others this year, he’s still a proven netminder who can steal a game when needed. With him slated to take the net tonight, he’s really going to have to be at his best.

New York also has more consistent offensive firepower. Artemi Panarin leads the team with 69 points across 28 goals and 41 assists, and he’s been one of the most dynamic playmakers in the NHL. Adam Fox, with his 43 helpers, gives them another top-tier facilitator who can make a difference on the power play unit.

There’s a good chance that the Rangers’ special teams could be the key factor in this game. Their power play sits at 22.2%, one of the better teams in the NHL, giving them a slight edge over Columbus’ 20%. Their penalty kill is also pretty hot, operating at 82.2%, compared to Columbus’ 75.3% which is near the bottom of the league.

The biggest question for the Rangers? Can they finish games strong?

They’ve lost 3 of their last 5, with 2 of those losses coming in overtime. If they can close out the 3rd period a bit better, they have a strong chance to win this game.

Columbus, on the other hand, might not have the star power of New York, but they’ve been finding ways to win in key matchups like this game. The 7-3 victory over the Rangers on March 9th was really a statement win. It shows that they can control the game when their offense is clicking. They’ll be looking to bring out the same game plan as that game.

The Blue Jackets have been the better scoring team, averaging 3.28 goals per game, compared to the Rangers’ 3.00. Zach Werenski comes in tonight with 69 points and has been a two-way force, contributing on both ends of the ice. Kirill Marchenko, with his 25 goals, has been their most dangerous goal-scorer, and on top of that, they’ve got solid depth scoring throughout the lineup.

Columbus also has a home-ice advantage. While they’ve been inconsistent, their 20-7-4 home record is much better than their play on the road. Nationwide Arena will be rocking with the playoff race heating up, and we think that energy could help them against a Rangers team that is 16-14-3 on the road. This game will undoubtedly have playoff vibes to it.

Goaltending, however, remains the biggest red flag for Columbus. Elvis Merzlikins has a 3.04 GAA and .896 SV% and Daniil Tarasov with a 3.54 GAA and .883 SV% hasn’t provided much stability in between the pipes. If this game turns into a tight defensive battle, the Blue Jackets could struggle to keep the puck out of their net.

Key Matchups to Watch

This is going to be a close game, but there are a few things we’ll want to keep an eye on throughout as these will without a doubt determine the outcome—

1. Shesterkin vs. Merzlikins. The biggest mismatch in this game is in the crease. If Shesterkin plays at his best, Columbus could have a hard time breaking through and Merzlikins isn’t nearly as good as Shesterkin.
2. Panarin vs. Werenski. 2 of the top point producers on the ice. If Panarin can create a boost on the offense, it gives the Rangers the edge. If Werenski can contribute offensively while shutting down Panarin, Columbus could swing the game in their favor.
3. Power Play Battle. The Rangers have a better power play and penalty kill. Columbus will have to play disciplined hockey otherwise New York could capitalize and take control.

Prediction and Best Bet

This is a must-win game for both teams which means it’s going to be fast and great for betting. With the standings so tight, we expect a playoff-like atmosphere. The Blue Jackets proved in their last meeting that they can dominate New York, but the Rangers have the better goaltender, more consistent scoring, and stronger special teams. We can only anticipate that the Rangers have learned from their past mistakes.

Columbus has struggled defensively, and unless Merzlikins plays above expectations, the Rangers should be able to generate enough offense to take this one by a goal or two.

• HelloRookie’s Prediction: Rangers 4, Blue Jackets 3
• Best Bet: Rangers ML (-122)

Shesterkin should make the difference in this game. If he plays as well as he’s been playing over the last few weeks, Columbus will have a hard time matching up. We expect a hard-fought, high-scoring game, but the Rangers pull it out in the end.