The Columbus Blue Jackets (2-4-0) are on the road to face the New York Rangers (3-1-1) at Madison Square Garden on Sunday. The Rangers are -210 favorites, and the total is 6.5. Columbus is playing the second of a back-to-back after suffering a high-scoring 6-3 loss against the Penguins yesterday. Jack Roslovic, Kent Johnson, and Boone Jenner scored one apiece for the Blue Jackets.
Roslovic added an assist to lead the team in scoring. Elvis Merzlikins saved only 33 of 39 shots against (.846%) in the loss. New York fell 3-2 (OT) to the Sharks on Thursday. Artemi Panarin and Filip Chytil each scored once for the Rangers. Igor Shesterkin only had 24 saves on 27 shots against (.888%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Rangers won two of the three games between the teams last season, although the Blue Jackets were 5-3 victors in their final meeting in January. Jenner (2G 1A) and Zach Werenski (0G 3A) each had three points to lead Columbus. Panarin led New York with three points (1G 2A). Joonas Korpisalo got the win, saving 33 of 36 shots (.916%).
FACING OFF
Columbus is averaging 2.83 goals per game so far this season, 22nd in the NHL, and they are taking on a Rangers team that is allowing 3.00 goals a game (12th). Meanwhile, New York has found the net 3.80 times a game on average, sixth in the league, and the Blue Jackets are allowing opponents to score 4.33 goals per game (27th).
New York averages more shots per game (36.2) than most teams in the league, ranking fifth. With an average of 32.0 attempts, Columbus ranks 16th.The Blue Jackets’ 0.00% power play percentage is the lowest in the league, while the Rangers rank 11th with a conversion rate of 25.00%. When it comes to penalty killing, Columbus has the league’s eighth-ranked PK% at 88.89%, while New York is 18th at 76.47%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With seven points this season, Johnny Gaudreau is the top skater for the Blue Jackets. He is among the league leaders with four goals (8th) and has added three assists. In the net, Merzlikins (2-2-0) is Columbus’ top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 4.20 GAA and a .864% save percentage.
Panarin leads the Rangers in scoring with 11 points (2nd in the league). He has a league-best eight assists and three goals (). Shesterkin (3-0-1) has the best goals against average for New York at 2.75. He has a save percentage of .901%.
HOME AND AWAY
Columbus is winless away from Nationwide Arena this season. New York is unbeaten at home this season in three games.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
NY Rangers (-210)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
