Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Rangers Prediction, 1/18/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Rangers

Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025

Location: Madison Square Garden in New York, NY

TV: MSG+

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (-210) Rangers (+172)

The New York Rangers (20-20-3) will compete against the Columbus Blue Jackets (21-17-6) at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. The odds on this game have Columbus at -210 and New York is at +172. The total has been set at 6.

The Columbus Blue Jackets had a decent effort after finishing in a 2-2 tie against the Flyers in their previous game. Columbus accrued 6 mins in the box in this contest. The Blue Jackets had a below average offensive performance in this game. Additionally, they had 1 power play try but didn't convert it into a score. While out there on the ice, they scored on 2 of the 28 shots they put on net.

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In the matter of their goal scoring prowess, the Columbus Blue Jackets have racked up 148 goals (7th in hockey) over the course of the season and have allowed 153. For the current season, they have racked up 48 points and their points percentage comes in at .545. Columbus is sitting with 113 power play chances and they have added 27 goals out of those tries, giving them a percentage of 23.89%. When at even strength, the Blue Jackets have allowed the opponent to score 120 goals while having 121 themselves. Columbus has tried 1,318 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 11.2%. The Blue Jackets have seen 1,277 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .880. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have tallied 126 power play opportunities (14th in pro hockey) and have notched 33 goals in those chances.

The man in net for this game is Elvis Merzlikins. Merzlikins has been in goal for 219 games throughout his pro hockey career. He has amassed a win-loss record of 83-89-33 and he has gotten the start in 205 games. Opponents have notched 646 goals against Merzlikins in his pro career and his average for goals against per game is 3.68. Merzlikins has seen 6,612 shots against him and he has 5,966 total saves. His save percentage sits at .902 for his 10,520 minutes played. During his career on the ice, Merzlikins has accounted for 98 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .478.

Their last time out, New York faced off against the Avalanche in an outing where the Rangers ended up losing by a final score of 3-2. They had 3 power play chances in this outing but didn't put one in the back of the net. The Rangers earned 2 goals of the 29 shots on goal they attempted.

New York has taken 1,288 shots (10th in professional hockey) and has earned a shot percentage of 9.63%, while allowing the opposition 1,343 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 83.09% on their oppositions 136 chances on the power play, and their save percentage comes in at 90.0%. They have recorded 114 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play percentage of 19.30%. The Rangers have accumulated 102 goals at even strength and 22 goals (25th in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have permitted 134 goals to be scored by of a combination of 111 goals at even strength and 23 goals while they were shorthanded. On the year, the New York Rangers have earned a total of 124 goals, 43 points, in addition to a points percentage of .500.

Across the ice you will find Igor Shesterkin protecting the net. Shesterkin has accrued a career mark of 148-74-19 and has been in net for 243 games. Shesterkin's quality start percentage comes out to 64.3% and he has 153 quality starting assignments in his professional career. He has accrued 6,679 saves out of 7,266 shots taken against him, giving him a save % of .919. The opposition is averaging 2.82 goals per game and he has allowed 587 goals overall. He has started in 238 contests and has racked up 12,498 mins.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Columbus (-210)

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