New York Islanders vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 4/4/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New York Islanders vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Thursday, April 4, 2024

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Bally Sports Ohio

Odds/Point Spread: Islanders (-152) Blue Jackets (+125)

The New York Islanders (33-27-15) are en route to Nationwide Arena on Thursday where they will meet the Columbus Blue Jackets (25-38-12). The odds on this game have the Islanders at -152 and the Blue Jackets are coming in at +125. The total comes in at 7.

The New York Islanders went home feeling good about their game by earning a 2-1 win over the Blackhawks in their previous contest . New York amassed 7 penalty minutes in this matchup. Moreover, they had 2 power play opportunities and were able to notch 1 goal. The Islanders left a lot to be desired in terms of their offense in this win. In the game, they tallied a score on 2 out of the 29 shots they looked to score on.

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New York Islanders opponents have earned 208 power play opportunities (28th in the NHL) and have earned 58 goals in those attempts. The Islanders have had 2,459 shots tried against them and have earned a save percentage of .900. New York has tried 2,253 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 9.8%. When playing at even strength, the Islanders have allowed the opponent to score 187 goals while getting 178 of their own. New York has accumulated 212 power play chances and they have added 43 goals out of those advantages, giving them a percentage of 20.28%. For the current campaign, they have recorded 81 points and their points percentage comes in at .540. When discussing scoring goals, the New York Islanders have racked up 221 goals (23rd in the NHL) for the year and have allowed 245.

The player in the crease for this game is Ilya Sorokin. Opponents have racked up 468 goals against Sorokin in his pro hockey career and his average for goals against per game is 2.54. Sorokin has taken the ice for 189 matchups throughout his professional hockey career. His save percentage currently sits at .919 for his 11,073 mins in the crease. He has compiled an overall record of 93-65-29 and he has started in 185 games. For his professional hockey career, Sorokin has 125 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .676. Sorokin has seen 5,752 shots taken against him and he has 5,284 total saves.

The last time they were on the ice, Columbus played the Avalanche in a matchup where the Blue Jackets earned a victory by a final of 4-1. The Blue Jackets recorded 4 goals out of the 25 shots on goal they were seeking. They had 2 power play opportunities in this contest but weren't able to notch a goal.

On the campaign, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accounted for 214 goals, 62 points, and a points percentage of .413. They have allowed 271 goals to be scored by way of 221 goals at even strength and 50 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Blue Jackets have earned 185 goals at even strength and 29 goals (32nd in professional hockey) while having a power play advantage. They have a tally of 201 power play opportunities and they have a power play percentage of 14.43%. Columbus has put up 2,257 shots (18th in hockey) and has earned a shot percentage of 9.48%, while allowing the other team 2,551 shots. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 76.74% on the other teams 215 power play chances, and their save percentage is 89.4%.

On the other side of the ice you will find Elvis Merzlikins defending the net. His opposition is averaging 3.20 goals per game and he has given up 558 goals in total. Merzlikins' quality start percentage sits at 48.0% and he has qualified for 85 quality starts in his NHL career. He got the starting nod in 177 games and his ice time sits at 10,451 mins. Merzlikins has amassed a career mark of 68-79-30 and has been in goal for 191 contests. He has compiled 5,262 saves out of 5,820 shots attempted, which gives him a percentage of .904.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Columbus (+125)

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