The Columbus Blue Jackets visit Madison Square Garden in New York tonight where they take on the Rangers. The Rangers have played the Blue Jackets well of late winning 10 of the last 14 meetings including the last 3 in a row played in New York.
Head to Head Trends
Blue Jackets are 0-5 in the last 5 meetings.
Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
New York Rangers (-170)
The New York Rangers are 2nd in the Metropolitan Division with 78 points 16 points back of the 1st place Washington Capitals. The Rangers were one of the hottest teams in the league over the first month or so of the season and then they cooled off for a bit but it looks like they’re back playing great hockey again winning 9 of their last 12 games.
The Rangers have one of the better offenses in the league averaging 2.83 goals per game and they also have a solid defense allowing 2.52 goals per game. The Rangers do however play even better at home averaging 3.23 goals per game on offense while allowing just 2.26 goals per game on defense and that’s why they have the second best home record in the league at 22-6-3.
New York Rangers Trends
Rangers are 48-23 in their last 71 home games.
Rangers are 42-19 in their last 61 vs. a team with a losing record.
Columbus Blue Jackets (+150)
The Columbus Blue Jackets are last in the Metropolitan Division with 60 points 34 points out of 1st place but more importantly 10 points out of the last playoff spot in the East so don’t be surprised to see them trade away some of the few good players they actually have today.
The Blue Jackets have a middle of the road offense averaging 2.56 goals per game but like most bad teams their main problem this season has been defense/goaltending allowing 3.02 goals per game although their defense has been playing much better of late allowing just 2.30 goals per game over their last 10.
Columbus Blue Jackets Trends
Blue Jackets are 1-5 in their last 6 vs. Metropolitan.
Blue Jackets are 26-66 in their last 92 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Conclusion
I like the New York Rangers over the Blue Jackets in this one. The Rangers look to be back playing some great hockey again plus they are at home tonight where they tend to play pretty good in general.
Free Pick: New York Rangers -170
