Columbus vs New York Rangers Prediction 19 March 2026
🔊 The Eastern Conference's worst road team isn't performing as poorly as it might seem, ranking in the top 10 of the league in several key metrics. Meanwhile, Columbus have found their stride-it's been nearly a month since the Blue Jackets last lost in regulation, back on February 26. Let's gear up for an analysis of this NHL regular season matchup by delving into the statistical indicators and recent trends of these clubs' head-to-head encounters.
Head-to-Head
📊 Over the past three seasons, Columbus and the New York Rangers have faced off ten times: the Blue Jackets have claimed victory in four games, while the Rangers have won six. Notably, on home ice, the Jackets have lost their last three head-to-head encounters against this opponent.
Head-to-head statistics Columbus - New York Rangers
Columbus Blue Jackets Team Overview
The Blue Jackets have been on a roll, collecting points in their last ten games. Heading into a matchup against the Eastern Conference's bottom team, Rick Bowness's squad comes off a two-game winning streak, having defeated the Philadelphia Flyers (2-1 SO) and the Carolina Hurricanes (5-1). Columbus currently sits ninth in the East, just one point shy of the top eight. In terms of points lost, they are ahead of both the Boston Bruins and the Detroit Red Wings.
On home ice, the Jackets haven't lost in regulation for ten consecutive games. Columbus ranks among the top four most efficient teams in the East for home points (65.2% of possible points). At Nationwide Arena, the Blue Jackets average 3.36 goals per game (9th in the league), while conceding an average of 3.06 goals (14th).
Columbus's injury list still includes defenseman Brendan Smith, who hasn't played since late December. However, defenseman Erik Gudbranson has returned after missing three games and has replaced Egor Zamula on the third pairing.
Match Results: Columbus Blue Jackets
New York Rangers Team Overview
Mike Sullivan's squad, after an unexpected four-game winning streak that even surprised themselves, have returned to their losing ways. In their last two outings, the Rangers conceded ten goals, falling to the Los Angeles Kings (1-4) and the New Jersey Devils (3-6). While the Rangers still have a theoretical shot at the playoffs, realistically, the New York team is unlikely to climb from the bottom of the Eastern standings.
Heading into their road game in Columbus, the Blueshirts are riding a season-high three-game road winning streak. Surprisingly, they have secured the majority of their points away from home (62.5% of their points). Their away game stats aren't too shabby either, averaging 3.31 goals scored (9th in the league) and 3.03 goals allowed per game (12th).
For the Columbus game, defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and forward Noah Laba are expected to recover from minor injuries. Matt Rempe is scheduled to return by the end of the month.
Match Results: New York Rangers
⚡️ Leaders
The top scorer for Columbus is one of the NHL's leading defensemen in assists, Zach Werenski, with 69 points (20 goals, 49 assists). The primary goal scorer and second leading point-getter for the Blue Jackets is Kirill Marchenko, tallying 57 points (25 goals, 32 assists). Adam Fantilli has been on a scoring streak, finishing strong in the last four games.
Mika Zibanejad (64 points, 28 goals, 36 assists) remains the Rangers' top scorer, leading in goals and assists. The Swedish forward has registered points in five of the last six games, maintaining a comfortable lead. The team's second-leading scorer, Vincent Trocheck, has accumulated only 47 points (14 goals, 33 assists).
🥅 Goalies
In March, Columbus splits their goaltending duties almost equally between Jet Greaves and Elvis Merzlikins. The Canadian goalie boasts a save percentage of 91.5% over five games, with a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.21. The Latvian netminder's stats are significantly lower, with an 86.9% save rate and a GAA of 3.08.
Igor Shesterkin has started in six of the Rangers' nine games in March. The Russian goaltender has posted decent numbers during this stretch, with a 91.2% save percentage and a GAA of 2.84. Jonathan Quick has been seeing more ice time; in three March games, the 40-year-old goalie allowed 11 goals, managing just an 88.3% save rate.
Editor's Prediction
Columbus have been scoring an impressive number of goals at home recently, netting at least four goals in each of their last four games-a season-high streak for them. However, since 2018, the Blue Jackets have never extended this streak to five consecutive home games with four or more goals. Additionally, in 10 of their last 13 head-to-head matchups against the Rangers, Columbus have failed to score more than three goals. We trust in Igor Shesterkin's solid performance and predict Columbus Blue Jackets' individual total under 3.5 goals.
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Betting Tips: Columbus Blue Jackets - New York Rangers
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