New York Islanders vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 3/24/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New York Islanders vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Friday, March 24, 2023

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Bally Sports Ohio

Odds/Point Spread: Islanders (-200) Blue Jackets (+165)

The Columbus Blue Jackets (22-41-7) will take on the New York Islanders (37-27-8) at Nationwide Arena on Friday. The moneyline on this matchup has the Islanders at -200 and the Blue Jackets are opening at +165. The betting total is set at 6.

The New York Islanders will head into their next game feeling good after earning a 7-2 win against the Maple Leafs their last time out. New York amassed 7 penalty minutes for this game. Moreover, they had 2 power play opportunities but didn't get a goal. The Islanders had a good offensive output in the victory. In the matchup, they were able to notch a goal on 7 of the 29 shots they put on goal.

Get all of our NHL Expert Picks

Concerning scoring goals, the New York Islanders have notched 215 goals (22nd in pro hockey) so far this year and have surrendered 193. For the year, they have recorded 82 points and their points percentage is sitting at .569. New York is sitting with 202 power play chances and they have scored 33 goals during those advantages, earning them a rate of 16.34%. When at even strength, the Islanders have given up 157 goals while getting 182 on offense. New York has taken 2,197 shots and has a shot percentage of 9.8%. The Islanders thus far have had 2,256 shots attempted against them and have a save percentage of .914. New York Islanders opponents have tallied 202 power play tries (25th in the NHL) and have racked up 36 goals in those attempts.

The player between the pipes for this game is Ilya Sorokin. Opponents have racked up 290 goals versus Sorokin in his NHL career and his average for goals against per game is 2.35. Sorokin has participated in 127 games throughout his pro hockey career. His save percentage is at .924 during his 7,418 minutes between the pipes. He has compiled a record of 65-43-17 and he has gotten the start in 124 games. In his career, Sorokin has earned 88 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .710. Sorokin has had 3,804 shot attempts taken against him and has garnered 3,514 saves.

In their last game, Columbus played the Capitals in a matchup where the Blue Jackets notched a victory by a score of 7-6. They had 1 opportunity on the power play in this matchup and scored 1 on that try. The Blue Jackets netted 7 goals out of the 39 shots on goal they tried.

For the year, the Columbus Blue Jackets are sitting with 188 goals, 51 points, and a points percentage of .364. They have permitted 272 goals to be scored by way of 223 goals at even strength and 49 goals while they were shorthanded. The Blue Jackets have racked up 153 goals at even strength and 35 goals (26th in the NHL) while on the power play. They have earned 184 power play chances and they have accumulated a power play rate of 19.02%. Columbus has put up 2,091 shots (24th in hockey) and has a shot percentage of 8.99%, while allowing the other team 2,467 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 76.33% on their opponents 207 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage sits at 89.0%.

On the other side of the ice you will find Elvis Merzlikins in net. Opponents are averaging 3.10 goals per contest and he has relinquished 422 goals altogether. Merzlikins' quality start rate sits at 49.3% and he has accumulated 67 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. He has started in 136 games and has played for a total of 8,155 minutes. Merzlikins holds a career mark of 55-61-22 and has been in net for 149 contests. He is sitting with 4,107 stops out of 4,529 shots attempted, which gives him a save % of .907.

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

Josh's Pick: Take New York (-200)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here