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- What: Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New York Rangers
- Date: Wednesday, February 28, 2024
- Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: TVAS, BSOH, MSG, ESPN+
Only two NHL games are on the schedule for tonight, Wednesday, February 28. In the early game, the NY Rangers host the Columbus Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The teams are in polar opposite positions in the Metropolitan Division for the 2024 season. The Rangers are the division’s top team with a 39-17-3 record, while the Blue Jackets reside in the basement, with a mark of 19-28-10 on the season.
New York has been among the most consistent teams during the 2024 NHL season. The Rangers have only lost more than two games in a row during one stretch this year, when they dropped four in a row in early January. The club’s 10-game winning streak ended on Sunday when the Blue Jackets upset them in Columbus, winning 4-2. New York is 20-7-0 at home this year.
Columbus shook things up on February 15 when the team fired its long-tenured general manager, Jarmo Kekalainen, who had been with the club since 2013. The Blue Jackets are 3-2 since then. The club has not won back-to-back games since they defeated the New Jersey Devils and Chicago Blackhawks in consecutive contests in November. They have not won more than two games in a row this year and have only done that on two occasions. Columbus has a 9-13-6 road mark in 2024.
Before we look at the betting breakdown for tonight’s game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and NY Rangers, check out our betting picks to win the 2024 Stanley Cup and our tips for betting on the NHL.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New York Rangers betting picks – February 28, 2024
 | Puck Line | Money Line | Total |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | +1.5 (-115) | +211 | Ov 6.5 (-101) |
| NY Rangers | -1.5 (-105) | -239 | Un 6.5 (-115) |
Columbus Blue Jackets betting breakdown
The Columbus Blue Jackets finished the 2023 NHL season as the worst team in the Eastern Conference, wrapping up the campaign with a record of 25-48-9. Things are only going slightly better for the team in 2024, as they currently sit in last place in the East with a .421 winning percentage, which is an improvement over their .360 winning percentage last season. The Blue Jackets are four points behind the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference standings.
Johnny Gaudreau leads Columbus in scoring with 42 points. He is also first on the team in assists with 34. Boone Jenner is the team’s leading goal scorer with 18. Zach Werenski is second on the Blue Jackets in scoring with 33 points. Patrik Laine, who was second on the team in scoring in 2023 has not played since December when he entered NHL/NHLPA Assistance Program.
Elvis Merzlikins and Daniil Tarasov have split the goaltending duties this season. Merzlikins has a 3.29 goals against average and a .902 save percentage, while Tarasov sports a 3.66 GAA and a .887 SV%.
The Blue Jackets average 2.95 goals for per game, but they allow the second most goals against per game at 3.67. Columbus has the 29th-ranked power play (14.6 percent), and the 25th-ranked penalty kill (76.7 percent.)
New York Rangers betting breakdown
The NY Rangers had a strong opening to the 2024 season, but things went awry for the team in early January when they struggled. Between January 2 and January 26, the club posted a record of 4-7-2. However, the Rangers have righted the ship as of late, with a 10-1 record in their past 11 games.
Artemi Panarin is the offensive leader for the Rangers. The 32-year-old is tops on the team in points (79), goals (33), and assists (46). Panarin has never broken the 100-point barrier during an NHL season, his high is 96 in 2022, but he is on pace for well over 100 points this season. Vincent Trocheck is second in team scoring with 55 points.
Igor Shesterkin has been getting the majority of starts in the Rangers’ net as of late. He has a 25-12-1 record and a 2.70 goals against average. Shesterkin’s save percentage is .909 this year. Jonathan Quick, who has played well (2.45 GAA, .916 SV%) was in net for the Rangers’ loss to Columbus on Sunday.
New York is the No. 9 team in goals per game (3.32), and the team checks in as the No. 6 team in fewest goals allowed per game (2.73). The Rangers have the No. 6 power play in the NHL (24.9 percent), while their penalty kill ranks fourth (82.9 percent).
Betting trends for Columbus Blue Jackets vs. NY Rangers
The Columbus Blue Jackets have been the betting underdog 52 times in 2024, the team has picked up an upset win in 17 of those games. Meanwhile, the NY Rangers have been the betting favorite in 48 games and won 32 of those contests.
The Blue Jackets are averaging 2.9 goals for and 3.2 goals against per game in their past 10 outings. The Rangers are averaging 3.6 goals per game and surrendering 2.1 goals per contest in their past 10 contests.
The Blue Jackets and Rangers have played three times this year. Columbus has won two of those contests (5-3 and 4-2), while losing once (4-3 in a shootout). The Blue Jackets’ wins came at home, and their loss was on the road.
Best bets for Columbus Blue Jackets vs. NY Rangers
Igor Shesterkin has not had a great year in net for the Rangers in 2024, but he is getting back to his Vezina-winning form. Look for him to have a strong outing against the Blue Jackets, who got one of the best games of the season from their goalie, Elvis Merzlikins, in beating the Rangers on Sunday. The betting pick is that the NY Rangers will beat the Columbus Blue Jackets.
With Shesterkin in net, look for the Rangers to shut down the offense of the Blue Jackets. The betting pick is that the Blue Jackets and Rangers will combine for under 6.5 goals.
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