Overview
The New York Islanders are in Columbus where they take on division rivals the Columbus Blue Jackets. Even though the Islanders have won the 2 meetings so far this season they have struggled versus the Blue Jackets with just 7 wins in the last 20 meetings although to be fair this is a much better Islanders team then we’ve been used to seeing over the last few seasons.
Head to Head Trends
Home team is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Islanders are 2-8 in the last 10 meetings in Columbus.
Columbus Blue Jackets (+115)
The Columbus Blue Jackets are 6th in the Metropolitan Division with 78 points and even though they have been out of the playoff picture for a while that hasn’t stopped them from playing some of their best hockey of the season right now. The Blue Jackets have won 10 of their last 11 games including their last 7 in a row although 5 of those wins came in over time of the shootout so it seems like they’re getting the bounces right now and I have to wonder if they’re due for a couple losses.
Columbus Blue Jackets Trends
Blue Jackets are 10-1 in their last 11 overall.
Blue Jackets are 71-149 in their last 220 vs. a team with a winning record.
New York Islanders (-135)
The New York Islanders are 2nd in the Metropolitan Division with 95 points 8 points back of the 1st place New York Rangers. The Islanders played great hockey for most of the season but they have really been struggling of late with just 2 wins over their last 9 games. It looks like offense has been the major problem to their recent struggles scoring over 2 goals in a game just twice over their last 9 games although they did put up 5 in their last game versus Detroit so maybe they’re back to the Islanders we have been used to seeing this season.
New York Islanders Trends
Islanders are 2-7 in their last 9 overall.
Islanders are 30-13 in their last 43 vs. a team with a losing record.
Conclusion
I like the New York Islanders over the Blue Jackets in this one. Usually I don’t like betting teams that are struggling like the Islanders or against hot teams like the Blue Jackets but it’s just in this situation I really feel the Blue Jackets are due for a couple losses while the Islanders are due for a couple wins so it kind of works out here to go against normal strategy.
Free Pick: New York Islanders -135
