New York Rangers vs Columbus Prediction 9 March 2025
🔊 Will the home team's unbeaten streak continue? The Rangers are doing everything they can to return to the playoff zone in the East. As one of the recognized favorites of the conference, they are just a few steps away from this goal, and a meeting with a direct competitor will be an excellent marker of the "Blueshirts'" ambitions. Columbus, on the other hand, has started regularly dropping points at this crucial moment in the season. The team clearly lacks experience in this type of battle.
Head-to-Head
The opponents have met twice in the current regular season, and in both cases, the "Rangers" came out on top (1:0 SO, 4:3). Each match was characterized by a rather tough battle, and the first one turned into a real duel of Russian goalkeepers. Igor Shesterkin and Daniil Tarasov combined to stop all 53 shots on goal, leaving fans at Madison Square Garden bored. The decisive shootout goal was scored by Rangers' center Vincent Trocheck. The forward is having an admittedly weak season, having scored only 39 points in 62 games.
Head-to-head statistics New York Rangers - Columbus
New York Rangers Team Overview
The team under Peter Laviolette is gradually reaching optimal form after the February break. In the last six matches, the New York club has suffered only one regulation-time defeat, unable to withstand the pressure from Toronto (2:3). In all other cases, they consistently managed to earn points. This impressive tournament surge has brought the team very close to the playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Now they need to beat their competitor and try to maintain their position. However, this task will not be easy at all.
Match Results: New York Rangers
Columbus Blue Jackets Team Overview
The "Jackets" have lost their former momentum. After four consecutive victories, Dean Evason's team suffered two crushing defeats. First, they had nothing to counter against Tampa (2:6), and then against Florida (0:3). It's unlikely that the outdoor victory match against Detroit (5:3) had such a depressing effect on the visitors. It's merely a matter of significant class difference. The clubs from Miami are objectively stronger right now, and Columbus simply cannot compete with them on equal terms. They are currently seventh in the East, and for the first time in many years, the end of the regular season will not be a mere formality for them.
Match Results: Columbus Blue Jackets
📌 Projected Lineups
Rangers: Shesterkin - Borgen, Miller - Lafrenière, Trocheck, Panarin
Columbus: Merzlikins - Werenski, Fabbro - Voronkov, Fantilli, Marchenko
🥅 Goalkeepers
Rangers' goalkeeper Igor Shesterkin is struggling to return to his best form, alternating between successful matches and outright weak performances. For instance, after a brilliant performance in the New York derby against the Islanders, where the netminder secured a "shutout," the Russian couldn't handle the pressure from Washington (88.5%).
Columbus' goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, unlike his teammates, continues to play effectively at the last line of defense. In the last game against Florida, the Latvian saved 94.3% of shots on his goal. It's not his fault that his teammates failed to score a single puck.
Editor's Prediction
Most of the recent matches involving the "Jackets" have been quite high-scoring affairs. In 6 of their last 7 games, more than five goals were scored. In hopes of securing a playoff spot, the club is playing more and more aggressively on the attack. However, this doesn't always lead them to victories. The home team has been noticeably more modest in terms of scoring lately, but this time they will have to respond shot for shot. The stakes are too high, as the teams are fighting for a spot in the Eastern Conference playoff eight and are direct competitors. We recommend a bet on total over 5.5 goals.
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Betting Tips: New York Rangers - Columbus Blue Jackets
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