New York Rangers vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 10/14/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New York Rangers vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Saturday, October 14, 2023

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Bally Sports Ohio

Odds/Point Spread: Rangers (-200) Blue Jackets (+155)

Nationwide Arena is where the Columbus Blue Jackets (25-47-9 last year) will try to beat the New York Rangers (47-22-13 last season) on Saturday. The odds on this game have New York at -200 and Columbus is sitting at +155. The over/under comes in at 7.

The New York Rangers were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 5-1 win over the Sabres in their last outing. New York garnered 8 penalty minutes for this game. The Rangers had a solid offensive output in the victory. In addition, they had 4 power play opportunities and were able to notch 1 goal. For the game, they tallied a score on 5 out of the 31 shots they attempted.

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New York Rangers opposition had 223 power play tries (29th in hockey) and had a total of 42 goals in those attempts. The Rangers had 2,405 shots attempted against them and earned a save percentage of .910. New York attempted 2,582 shots and had a shooting percentage of 10.6%. While at even strength, the Rangers let the opposition score 174 goals while having 214. New York accumulated 245 power play opportunities and added 59 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a rate of 24.08%. For the prior season, they racked up 107 points and their points percentage was .652. Pertaining to their scoring capabilities, the New York Rangers earned 273 goals (12th in the league) for the prior year and conceded 216.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Igor Shesterkin. Shesterkin has been in net for 158 matchups during his hockey career. He has earned a win-loss mark of 99-42-15 and he started in 153 games. The opposition has racked up 362 goals against Shesterkin in his pro hockey career and his goals against rate is 2.37. Shesterkin has seen 4,752 shots taken against him and has gathered 4,390 total saves. His save percentage sits at .924 in his 9,151 minutes on the ice. Throughout his time in hockey, Shesterkin has 102 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .667.

In their last outing, Columbus played the Flyers in a game where the Blue Jackets went home in defeat by a tally of 4-2. They had 4 opportunities on the power play in this contest but weren't able to finish one of them with a goal. The Blue Jackets notched 2 goals of the 33 shots on goal they took.

Columbus took 2,399 shots (26th in hockey) and earned a shooting percentage of 8.88%, while allowing the opposition 2,904 shots. They accumulated a penalty kill percentage of 75.00% on their opposition's 236 power play opportunities, and their save percentage was at 88.7%. They had a tally of 223 chances on the power play and they have a power play rate of 18.39%. The Blue Jackets accumulated 172 goals at even strength and 41 goals (27th in pro hockey) while having a power play advantage. They allowed 329 goals to be scored by way of 270 goals at even strength and 59 goals while they were shorthanded. Last season, the Columbus Blue Jackets accumulated 213 goals, 59 points, as well as a points percentage of .364.

For the opposition you will find Elvis Merzlikins protecting the net. Merzlikins has accumulated a lifetime mark of 55-62-22 and has participated in 150 contests. Merzlikins' quality start rate is 48.2% and he has accumulated 66 quality starting assignments in his career. He has accounted for 4,125 stops out of 4,553 shots attempted, giving him a percentage of .906. Opponents are averaging 3.13 goals per game and he has yielded 428 goals altogether. He has made the start in 137 games and has racked up 8,192 mins.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Columbus (+155)

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