The Columbus Blue Jackets (30-17-11) host the New York Rangers (29-23-4) Friday at Nationwide Arena for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Rangers-Blue Jackets sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Rangers at Blue Jackets: Projected starting goalies
Henrik Lundqvist vs. Elvis Merzlikins
Lundqvist is 10-11-3 through 25 starts and three relief appearances. He has a .907 save percentage and 3.12 goals against average for the season. He took the loss against the Dallas Stars his last time out (Feb. 3) while giving up four goals on just 15 shots.
Merzlikins has had a few days off after last stopping 28 of 30 shots in an overtime loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning Monday. The rookie is 12-7-5 with a .930 SV% and 2.19 GAA.
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Rangers at Blue Jackets: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 9:45 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Blue Jackets 3, Rangers 1
Moneyline (ML)
The Blue Jackets (-139) are continuing their unexpected fight for an Eastern Conference wild-card spot, while the Rangers (+115) are finishing out the season. That said, the Rangers enter Friday having won three straight games, including a 4-3 shootout victory over the Minnesota Wild Thursday. The Jackets have lost three straight, including a 4-3 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres Thursday.
Both teams will be tired having gone the distance the night before, and the home-ice advantage is largely negated for Columbus, as it had to travel back from Buffalo. Both of Friday’s projected starters had the night off, at least. This swings the needle back toward the BLUE JACKETS (-139) to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout. The Jackets beat the Rangers 2-1 Jan. 19 to even the season series at a game apiece.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Siding with Merzlikins, who already leads the league with five shutouts this season, back the BLUE JACKETS (-1.5, +195) to win by at least 2 goals for a return of nearly double your investment. New York is 36-20 against the spread overall and 17-9 on the road, while Columbus is 33-25 ATS overall and just 14-17 at home. The Rangers last two losses with Lundqvist in net were each decided by at least a 2-goal margin.
Over/Under (O/U)
Back the UNDER 5.5 (+100) as the more profitable side of the total bet with Merzlikins back in net Friday. Both teams have hit the Over just three times in their last 10 games. Both meetings this season fell short of Friday’s projected total.
Esten’s NHL betting record: 232-212
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