The New York Rangers (-200) travel to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets (+170) at Nationwide Arena on Monday. The total is 6.5 (O: -115, U: -105)New York (24-13-7) is playing on back-to-back days after suffering a 2-1 loss against the Canadiens yesterday.
The Rangers committed only two penalties in the game, yet still conceded a power play goal. Artemi Panarin scored the only goal for the Rangers. Igor Shesterkin saved an impressive 29 of 31 shots (.935%) in the loss.
Columbus (13-27-2) beat the Red Wings 4-3 on Saturday. Patrik Laine scored a hat trick to lead the Blue Jackets. Elvis Merzlikins surrendered three goals on 28 shots (.892%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Blue Jackets won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 5-1 victory in October. Liam Foudy, Jack Roslovic, and Jakub Voracek each had two points (0G 2A) to lead Columbus. Panarin scored New York’s only goal. Daniil Tarasov got the win, saving 30 of 31 shots (.967%).
FACING OFF
New York is averaging 3.16 goals per game for the season, 16th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Blue Jackets team that is allowing 3.95 goals a game (31st).
Meanwhile, Columbus has found the net 2.57 times a game on average, 29th in the league, and won’t find goals any easier to come by against the Rangers’ stout defense, which is holding opponents to 2.66 goals per game (5th).
Columbus averages fewer shots/game (28.7) than most teams in the league, ranking 29th, while the team’s 9.1% shooting percentage is 27th. With an average of 32.9 attempts, New York ranks eighth.
The Blue Jackets’ 15.60% power play percentage is the second-worst in the league, while the Rangers rank 16th with a conversion rate of 21.43%. When it comes to penalty killing, New York has the league’s 16th-ranked PK% at 79.03%, while Columbus is 19th at 76.09%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Panarin and Mika Zibanejad have been the top skaters for the Rangers this season with 47 and 45 points. Panarin is among the league leaders with his 35 assists (7th).
In the net, Shesterkin (20-6-6) is New York’s top goaltender. He has a 2.44 GAA and a .917% save percentage. Johnny Gaudreau leads the Blue Jackets in scoring with 41 points. He has 12 goals and 29 assists. Joonas Korpisalo (6-8-1) has the best goals against average for Columbus at 3.28. He has a save percentage of .908%.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is 13-5-3 away from Madison Square Garden this season. Columbus is 10-13-1 at home this season. Meanwhile, the Rangers are 3-4 without a day off and 2-3 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Blue Jackets are 2-3 with a rest advantage.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Columbus Blue Jackets (+155)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
