A game between two teams currently on losing streaks, the Columbus Blue Jackets and the New York Islanders face off at the Barclays Center for a divisional tilt. Fox Sports Ohio will showcase the matchup, and the puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 3.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New York Islanders Odds
Columbus is 27-24 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 51 regular season contests, 28 of its games have gone under the total, while 21 have gone over and just one has pushed. As a road team this season, the Jackets are 11-14 SU.
Columbus has converted on just 13.8 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s ranked 32nd in the NHL. Its penalty kill is ranked 28th overall, and the team’s successfully killed off only 75.9 percent of its penalties.
Columbus, as a collective unit, has been penalized just 3.1 times per game in the 2017-18 season, 3.2 per game over its last five matchups total, and 2.6 per game over its last five on the road. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays just 6.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 28.8 saves per game with a .921 save percentage, Sergei Bobrovsky (22-20-4) has been the top option in goal for Columbus this season. Bobrovsky played last night, however, so Columbus may decide to rest him and roll with Joonas Korpisalo instead (5-5 record, .912 save percentage, 2.85 goals against average).
The visiting Blue Jackets have relied on Artemi Panarin and Seth Jones this season. Panarin has 41 points on 13 goals and 28 assists, and has recorded multiple points eight times. Jones has eight goals and 25 assists to his creditand has registered at least one point in 27 games.
Over on the other bench, New York is 25-27 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.0 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 32 of its contests have gone over the total, while 17 have gone under and just three have pushed. It’s 13-11 SU at home this year.
New York has converted on 19.9 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 30th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 73.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
New York players have been penalized only 3.4 times per game in total this season, and 1.8 per game over their last five games. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 6.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jaroslav Halak has denied 30.0 shots per game as the top choice in goal for New York. Halak has 15 wins, 19 losses, and three overtime losses to his name and has maintained a mediocre 3.16 goals against average and a fairly-weak .909 save percentage this season.
The home team will be led on offense by John Tavares (26 goals, 31 assists).
Columbus Blue Jackets at New York Islanders Betting Predictions
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
The under has hit in four of New York’s last five games.
The Islanders are 10-14 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 15-20 in games where they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 minutes, total.
Three of Columbus’ last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 2-1 in those games and 6-4 overall in shootouts this season.
New York skaters have averaged 6.0 takeaways per game (ranked 25th in the NHL).
Columbus has created 7.2 takeaways per game over its last five road games, its season average of 7.6 takeaways per game (ranked 14th overall).
