My Projected Lines and the odds

My model has NY Rangers as a 63.60% favorite in this game. Bookmakers on other side give them little bit less chance, because their odds on Rangers are around 1.77 or even more. My projected odds on Rangers are 1.57.

Match Up

Columbus Blue Jackets have amazing season so far. They are 32-16 this season and are one of the best teams in NHL. But in last couple of games before the break, they started struggling little bit. They were 2-3 in last 5 games before the All-Star break and the biggest problem I see is that they allowed too many goals. 3.6 in last 5 games. The last 3 games 6, 4 and 4. They also lost 2 straight.

Columbus lost also last game against Rangers in a crazy game and they have pretty bad record against them. 1-8 in last 9 games and also 0-4 in last games in New York. Today, they will start with their backup goalie Koorpisalo, which will be another advantage for Rangers.

Rangers on other side struggled at the start of January, but in latst couple of games they won 3 out of 4 and even in that game against Philadelphia, they were playing well, but Philadelphia scored 2 goals. The biggest improvement is in the net. Lundqvist, who doesn’t have the best year was playing much better lately. His SV in last couple of games is 94.5%. And he could be the key against Columbus, who will start with backup goalie, who has SV% of 0.893.

Reason for pick

Despite good season by Columbus, I rank Rangers higher. They have good record against Columbus and they played well just before the All Star break. Marc Staal will probably be back for them and they will also have better goalie in the net. Lundqvist is playing well right now and they need him. With red hot Lundqvist Rangers will look much better.

Play NY Rangers