Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Rangers Prediction, 3/9/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Rangers

Date: Sunday, March 9, 2025

Location: Madison Square Garden in New York, NY

TV: MSG+

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (-275) Rangers (+220)

Madison Square Garden is the site where the New York Rangers (31-26-5) will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets (30-24-8) on Sunday. The line on this contest has Columbus at -275 and New York is sitting at +220. The betting total is set at 6.5.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will need a bounce back game after taking a 3-0 loss to the Panthers their last time out. Columbus garnered 20 penalty minutes in this outing. The Blue Jackets had a rough night on the offensive side of the ice in the loss. They also had 4 opportunities with more players on the ice but didn't convert them into a score. For the game, they went home without being able to finish on any of the 16 shots they put on net.

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In terms of scoring goals, the Columbus Blue Jackets have tallied 203 goals (8th in the National Hockey League) on the campaign and have conceded 204. For the current campaign, they have accumulated 68 points and their points percentage is sitting at .548. Columbus comes into the game with 145 power play chances and they have scored 30 goals out of those advantages, garnering them a percentage of 20.69%. While at even strength, the Blue Jackets have conceded 161 goals while notching 173 on the offensive side of the ice. Columbus has tried 1,773 shots and has a shooting percentage of 11.5%. The Blue Jackets have had 1,848 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .890. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have earned 170 power play opportunities (19th in the league) and have earned 43 goals in those chances.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Elvis Merzlikins. Merzlikins has participated in 233 games during his professional hockey career. He has earned an overall mark of 90-95-34 and he started in 219 games. Opponents have racked up 684 goals versus Merzlikins in his NHL career and his goals against rate is 3.89. Merzlikins has seen 7,047 shot attempts against him and has accrued 6,363 saves. His save percentage is .903 in his 10,555 minutes in the crease. In his professional hockey career, Merzlikins has accounted for 106 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .484.

In their last game, New York faced off against the Capitals in an outing where the Rangers took the defeat by a tally of 3-2. They had 4 attempts on the power play in this one but were not able to net one. The Rangers recorded 2 goals of the 17 shots on goal they pursued.

The Rangers have earned 156 goals at even strength and 32 goals (22nd in hockey) while on the power play. New York has taken 1,806 shots (11th in professional hockey) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 10.41%, while allowing their opponents 1,876 shots. On the year, the New York Rangers are sitting with 188 goals, 67 points, as well as a points percentage of .540. They have permitted 186 goals to be scored by of a combination of 154 goals at even strength and 32 goals while they were shorthanded. They have recorded 161 power play opportunities and they have accumulated a power play rate of 19.88%. They have a penalty kill rate of 82.51% on their opponents 183 power play chances, and their save percentage sits at 90.1%.

Across the ice you are likely to see Jonathan Quick protecting the net. He has racked up 19,640 stops out of the 21,562 shots taken against him, which gives him a save % of .911. Quick has accumulated a lifetime record of 402-288-88 and has been in net for 800 games. He got the starting nod in 780 contests and his ice time sits at 45,379 minutes. Quick's percentage of quality starts comes out to 52.8% and he has accumulated 412 quality starts in his pro career. His opposition is averaging 2.54 goals/game and he has yielded 1,922 goals overall.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Columbus (-275)

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