New York Rangers vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 2/25/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New York Rangers vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Sunday, February 25, 2024

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Bally Sports Ohio

Nationwide Arena is the site where the Columbus Blue Jackets (18-27-10) will go up against the New York Rangers (38-16-3) on Sunday.

The New York Rangers will head into their next game feeling good after earning a 5-1 win against the Devils in the last game they played. New York accrued 30 minutes in the box in this game. The Rangers had a impressive offensive performance in the win. Additionally, they had 5 chances with the advantage and were able to net 1 goal. In the matchup, they scored on 5 out of the 18 shots they put on goal.

New York Rangers opponents have earned 163 power play tries (23rd in professional hockey) and have come away with 28 goals in those attempts. The Rangers so far have had 1,662 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .906. New York has tried 1,766 shots and is the owner of a shot percentage of 10.9%. While at even strength, the Rangers have conceded 128 goals while having 146 of their own. New York has 178 power play chances and they have notched 46 goals out of those tries, garnering them a rate of 25.84%. For the current season, they have recorded 79 points and their points % is .693. With respect to their goal scoring prowess, the New York Rangers have earned 192 goals (8th in the NHL) for the season and have given up 156.

The man in goal for this game is Igor Shesterkin. For his professional hockey career, Shesterkin has accumulated 123 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .647. His save percentage sits at .921 in his 11,337 mins guarding the cage. Shesterkin has seen 5,824 shots against him and has accrued 5,362 saves. The opposition has racked up 462 goals against Shesterkin in his NHL career and his average for goals against per game is 2.45. He has an overall mark of 123-54-16 and got the start in 190 games. Shesterkin has played in 195 games over the course of his pro hockey career.

Their last time out, Columbus faced off against the Ducks in a matchup where the Blue Jackets notched a victory by a final of 7-4. The Blue Jackets scored 7 goals out of the 27 shots on goal they were seeking. They had 2 power play chances in this outing but weren't able to put one in the back of the net.

The Blue Jackets have earned 141 goals at even strength and 22 goals (31st in pro hockey) while having a power play advantage. Columbus has put up 1,651 shots (22nd in professional hockey) and has a shot percentage of 9.87%, while allowing the other team 1,831 shots. During this campaign, the Columbus Blue Jackets have notched a total of 163 goals, 46 points, and a points percentage of .418. They have allowed 205 goals to be scored by of a combination of 166 goals at even strength and 39 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have earned 158 opportunities on the power play and they have a power play percentage of 13.92%. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 75.78% on their opponents 161 power play tries, and their save percentage sits at 88.8%.

Across the rink you will find Elvis Merzlikins protecting the net. He has gathered 5,011 stops out of the 5,537 shots taken, which gives him a save % of .905. Merzlikins has amassed a career mark of 65-74-29 and has played in 182 games. He has been a starter 168 games and has racked up 9,958 mins. Merzlikins' percentage of quality starts sits at 47.0% and he has qualified for 79 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. Teams are averaging 3.17 goals per game and he has surrendered 526 goals in total.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Columbus

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