A couple of the least-penalized clubs in the NHL, the Columbus Blue Jackets and the New York Islanders collide at the Barclays Center for a divisional tilt. The game will get started at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 13 and it’ll be showcased live on Fox Sports Ohio.
Columbus Blue Jackets at New York Islanders Odds
Columbus (-120) is currently the favorite over New York (+100), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
Columbus is 28-27 straight up (SU) and has lost 5.1 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 30 of its contests have gone under the total, while 24 have gone over and just one has pushed. The Jackets are 11-16 SU on the road in 2017-18.
Columbus has converted on just 13.8 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 27th in the league, and it has successfully killed off only 75.2 percent of its penalties.
Columbus, as a collective unit, has been penalized just 3.1 times per game this season, 3.0 per game over its last five games total, and 2.8 per game over its last five on the road. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 6.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 28.4 saves per game with a .919 save percentage, Sergei Bobrovsky (23-22-4) has been the top option in goal for Columbus this season. If head coach John Tortorella chooses to rest him, however, the team may turn to Joonas Korpisalo (5-6 record, .910 save percentage, 2.97 goals against average).
Artemi Panarin and Seth Jones will both lead the way for the visiting Blue Jackets. Panarin has 45 points on 15 goals and 30 assists, and has recorded two or more points eight times. Jones has eight goals and 28 assists to his creditand has logged a point in 28 games.
Over on the other bench, New York is 27-30 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.1 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 36 of its outings have gone over the total, while 18 have gone under and just three have pushed. This season, the team is 15-13 SU at home.
New York has converted on 21.4 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 30th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 73.7 percent of all opponent power plays.
New York players have been penalized only 3.4 times per game in total this season, and 2.7 per game over their past ten contests. The teams had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jaroslav Halak (30.0 saves per game) has been the top netminder in goal for New York. Halak has 17 wins, 22 losses, and four OT losses to his credit and has recorded a mediocre 3.23 goals against average and a poor .908 save percentage this season.
The home team offense will be led by John Tavares (28 goals, 34 assists).
Columbus Blue Jackets at New York Islanders Betting Predictions
NHL Prediction: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- Two of Columbus last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 6-4 overall in shootouts this season.
- The total has gone over in four of New York’s last five games.
- The Blue Jackets have averaged the leagues fourth-most shots on goal (34.2) and New York has attempted just the 22nd-most (31.0).
- Five of Columbus last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 1-4 in those games.
