New York Islanders vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 10/28/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New York Islanders vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Saturday, October 28, 2023

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Bally Sports Ohio

Odds/Point Spread: Islanders (-167) Blue Jackets (+135)

The New York Islanders (3-2-1) are traveling to Nationwide Arena on Saturday where they will attempt to beat the Columbus Blue Jackets (3-2-2). The moneyline on this contest has New York at -167 and Columbus opens at +135. The betting total is set at 7.

The New York Islanders were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 3-2 victory over the Senators their last time out. New York accrued 21 mins in the box in this outing. In addition, they had 4 chances with extra men on the ice and were able to score 1 goal. The Islanders had a middle of the road offensive output in this victory. In the matchup, they scored on 3 of the 38 shots they tried.

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New York Islanders opponents have totaled 24 power play tries (16th in the league) and have a total of 6 goals in those chances. The Islanders thus far have had 208 shots tried against them and have earned a save percentage of .909. New York has tried 190 shots and holds a shot percentage of 8.4%. When playing at even strength, the Islanders let the opposition score 13 goals while earning 13 themselves. New York has 20 power play chances and they have added 3 goals out of those advantages, giving them a rate of 15.00%. For the season, they have tallied 7 points and their points % is .583. When it comes to their goal scoring prowess, the New York Islanders have racked up 16 goals (27th in the league) over the course of the season and have conceded 19.

The man in goal for this game is Ilya Sorokin. Sorokin has participated in 141 contests over the course of his hockey career. He has accumulated a record of 73-47-19 and was named the starter in 138 games. The opposition has scored 323 goals against Sorokin in his pro hockey career and his goals against rate is 2.35. Sorokin has seen 4,209 shots against him and has recorded 3,886 total saves. His save percentage currently is .923 for his 8,231 mins played. For his professional hockey career, Sorokin has 97 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .703.

Their last time out, Columbus squared up with the Canadiens in a matchup where the Blue Jackets ended up taking the loss by a final of 4-3. They had 4 chances on the power play in this outing and scored 2 out of those attempts. The Blue Jackets recorded 3 goals of the 36 shots on goal they were seeking.

The Blue Jackets have earned 15 goals at even strength and 5 goals (15th in hockey) while having more men on the ice. Columbus has put up 233 shots (10th in professional hockey) and has a shot percentage of 8.58%, while allowing the opposition 228 shots. So far this season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accounted for 20 goals, 8 points, and a points percentage of .571. They have permitted 23 goals to be scored by of a combination of 18 goals at even strength and 5 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have a total of 25 power play chances and they have accumulated a power play rate of 20.00%. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 80.00% on their oppositions 25 power play chances, and their save percentage comes in at 89.9%.

On the other side of the ice you are likely to see Elvis Merzlikins in goal. He has racked up 4,255 saves out of 4,697 shots taken, which gives him a save % of .906. Merzlikins has accrued a lifetime mark of 57-63-24 and has played in 155 games. He has made the start in 142 contests and has been on the ice for 8,479 mins. Merzlikins' rate of quality starts comes out to 47.9% and he has 68 quality starts in his professional career. Teams are averaging 3.13 goals per contest and he has conceded 442 goals in total.

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

Josh's Pick: Take New York (-167)

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