The New York Rangers (24-13-7) meet the Columbus Blue Jackets (13-27-2) Monday at Nationwide Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Blue Jackets odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Rangers were surprised Sunday at Madison Square Garden as heavy favorites against the Montreal Canadiens. New York came up on the short end of a 2-1 result, as G Igor Shesterkin received very little offensive support.
The Blue Jackets picked up a 4-3 win on the road against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday, halting a 3-game losing skid. Columbus has allowed 3 or more goals in 3 games in a row and 6 of the past 7 games overall.
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Rangers at Blue Jackets odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:40 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rangers -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | Blue Jackets +170 (bet $100 to win $180)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers -1.5 (+120) | Blue Jackets +1.5 (-140)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Rangers at Blue Jackets projected goalies
Jaroslav Halak (4-6-1, 2.85 GAA, .896 SV%) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (5-11-0, 4.52 GAA, .867 SV%)
Halak gets the nod in the back-to-back situation. He allowed just 1 goal on 18 shots in his most recent start Jan. 5 at Montreal, and has won 3 straight starts while logging a 2.34 GAA and .918 SV%.
Merzlikins slapped the brakes on a 4-game personal losing skid by stopping 25 of the 28 shots he faced in a 4-3 win vs. Detroit Saturday. He has picked up 4 wins in 7 starts at home this season but has just 1 win in 8 tries on the road.
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Rangers at Blue Jackets picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 5, Blue Jackets 2
Moneyline
The Rangers (-200) will cost you 2 times your potential return on the moneyline, and that’s just too expensive for a road team that is playing on no rest after a disappointing loss at home as a heavy favorite.
PASS.
The RANGERS -1.5 (+120) come with a little risk, but the puck line is a much better value than playing New York straight up — even with its backup goaltender in the crease.
Halak isn’t your usual backup and the veteran has been dominant during his personal 3-game win streak. The Blue Jackets have dropped 12 of the past 15 games overall, dropping 9 of those outings by 2 or more goals.
OVER 6.5 (-115) is the lean here — but play it lightly after New York struggled to light the lamp Sunday.
The Over is 7-2 in the past 9 games for the Rangers inside the Metropolitan Division. It’s also 5-1 in Columbus’ last 6 games overall and 4-1 in its last 5 against winning teams.
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