Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Islanders Prediction, 3/31/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Islanders

Date: Thursday, March 31, 2022

Location: UBS Arena in Elmont, NY

TV: MSG

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+145) Islanders (-175)

The New York Islanders (29-27-9) are welcoming the Columbus Blue Jackets (32-30-5) at UBS Arena on Thursday. The odds on this game have Columbus at +145 while New York is coming in at -175. The betting total is set at 6.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will need a bounce back game after taking a 4-3 loss to the Islanders in their previous contest. Columbus accounted for 6 mins in the box for this matchup. Moreover, they had 3 attempts on the power play but weren't able to net one. The Blue Jackets had an average offensive performance in the loss. For the matchup, they scored on 3 of the 45 shots they attempted.

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Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have tallied 195 power play tries (13th in professional hockey) and have tallied 44 goals in those chances. The Blue Jackets have had 2,365 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .895. Columbus has tried 2,026 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 10.6%. While playing at even strength, the Blue Jackets let the opposition score 204 goals while scoring 182 on offense. Columbus comes into tonight with 175 power play chances and they have scored 33 goals during those chances, earning them a percentage of 18.86%. For the current campaign, they have accumulated 69 points and their points percentage is .515. In reference to scoring goals, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accounted for 215 goals (13th in the NHL) this year and have given up 248.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Elvis Merzlikins. Merzlikins has been in goal for 106 matchups throughout his pro hockey career. He has amassed an overall record of 43-37-18 and was named the starter in 97 games. Opponents have been able to score 281 goals versus Merzlikins in his professional career and his goals against average per contest is 2.91. Merzlikins has seen 3,185 shot attempts taken against him and he has 2,904 saves. His save percentage sits at .912 during his 5,798 mins on the ice. During his career on the ice, Merzlikins has 50 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .515.

The last time they were on the ice, New York played the Blue Jackets in a matchup where the Islanders got the win by a score of 4-3. The Islanders notched 4 goals of the 29 shots on goal they attempted. They had 4 opportunities on the power play in this outing and recorded 1 goal out of those tries.

Over the course of the season, the New York Islanders have earned a total of 177 goals, 67 points, as well as a points percentage of .515. They have allowed 175 goals to be scored by way of 148 goals at even strength and 27 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Islanders have accumulated 143 goals at even strength and 34 goals (24th in the league) while having more men on the ice. They have a tally of 165 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play rate of 20.61%. New York has taken 1,894 shots (30th in the NHL) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 9.35%, while allowing their opponents 2,104 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 83.23% on their opponents 161 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage currently sits at 91.7%.

For the opposition you will find Ilya Sorokin in net. Sorokin is the owner of a lifetime mark of 35-20-10 and has participated in 65 games. Sorokin's quality start rate sits at 71.9% and he has made 46 quality starts in his pro career. He has gathered 1,746 saves out of 1,889 shots tried, giving him a save percentage of .924. Opponents are averaging 2.26 goals/game and he has surrendered 143 goals in total. He has been a starter 64 games and his ice time sits at 3,803 mins.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take New York (-175)

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