New York Islanders vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 10/30/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New York Islanders vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: NBC4 WCMH-TV

Nationwide Arena is where the Columbus Blue Jackets (4-3-1) will try to defeat the New York Islanders (3-3-2) on Wednesday.

The New York Islanders had a rough game after their 6-3 loss to the Panthers their last time on the ice. New York had 4 penalty minutes in this game. Moreover, they had 3 power play opportunities but weren't able to net one. The Islanders had an average offensive outing in this loss. In the outing, they converted 3 out of the 28 shots they looked to score on.

In relation to their goal scoring prowess, the New York Islanders have earned 20 goals (31st in the National Hockey League) so far this year and have given up 24. For the current season, they have racked up 8 points and their points percentage sits at .500. New York has accumulated 26 power play opportunities and they have scored 3 goals out of those tries, giving them a rate of 11.54%. While playing at even strength, the Islanders have conceded 20 goals while having 17 on offense. New York has attempted 256 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 7.8%. The Islanders have seen 215 shots attempted against them and have earned a save percentage of .888. New York Islanders opponents have earned 13 power play opportunities (32nd in professional hockey) and have come away with 4 goals in those attempts.

The player protecting the goal in this game is Semyon Varlamov. For his professional hockey career, Varlamov has accounted for 335 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .571. His save percentage currently sits at .916 during his 35,269 minutes on the ice. Varlamov has had 18,466 shots against him and has accrued 16,908 saves. The opposition has notched 1,558 goals versus Varlamov in his pro career and his average for goals against per game is 2.65. He has amassed an overall record of 287-230-69 and he has started in 587 games. Varlamov has taken the ice for 615 games during his NHL career.

In their last contest, Columbus squared up with the Oilers in a matchup where the Blue Jackets earned a win by a final score of 6-1. They had 4 power play chances in this game and scored 1 out of those tries. The Blue Jackets tallied 6 goals out of the 25 shots on goal they tried.

The Blue Jackets have scored 29 goals at even strength and 4 goals (26th in hockey) while on the power play. Columbus has attempted 234 shots (26th in professional hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 14.10%, while allowing the opposition 229 shots. This season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have earned a total of 33 goals, 9 points, in addition to a points percentage of .563. They have allowed 25 goals to be scored by way of 20 goals at even strength and 5 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have earned 24 power play chances and they have a power play rate of 16.67%. They have a penalty kill percentage of 80.77% on their oppositions 26 power play tries, and their save percentage sits at 89.1%.

Across the ice you are likely to see Elvis Merzlikins protecting the goal. Merzlikins is the owner of a career record of 69-81-30 and has participated in 194 games. Merzlikins' quality start percentage sits at 47.8% and he has qualified for 86 quality starting assignments in his professional career. He is sitting with 5,333 stops out of the 5,899 shots taken, giving him a save % of .904. Opponents are averaging 3.20 goals per contest and he has given up 566 goals altogether. He has made the start in 180 games and has been on the ice for 10,624 mins.

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

Tony's Pick: Take New York

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