NHL betting preview (March 24): Blue Jackets vs. Islanders odds
Join Daily Faceoff’s Andy MacNeil as he handicaps Monday’s Metropolitan Division matchup between the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Islanders.
Blue Jackets vs. Islanders Odds
- Columbus Blue Jackets Moneyline: +120
- New York Islanders Moneyline: -145
- Puck Line: Blue Jackets +1.5 (-210), Islanders -1.5 (+170)
- Game Total: 6 (Over -110, Under -110)
Game odds via Sports Interaction.
Handicapping the Blue Jackets (31-38 SU, 41-28 ATS, 39-28-2 O/U)
Since hosting the Stadium Series, the Blue Jackets have won just one of their last nine games, slipping four points back of the wild card spot they previously held. With only 13 games remaining—and seven of them against playoff teams—their outlook isn’t promising.
However, the team will get a big boost on Monday as forward Sean Monahan is set to return after missing the last 28 games due to a wrist injury. Defenseman Erik Gudbranson will also return to the lineup for the first time since Oct. 15.
Scoring has been a major issue, as Columbus has averaged just 1.78 goals per 60 minutes since March 4. That figure is somewhat misleading, as seven of those goals came in one game against the Rangers. In their last nine games, they’ve been shut out four times and have scored three or fewer goals in eight, including Friday’s 6-3 loss to Pittsburgh.
Only one team has scored fewer goals per 60 minutes in March, and the Blue Jackets’ power play has converted just 4.5 percent of its chances this month. Defensively, they’ve allowed more shots than all but two teams, ranked among the bottom three in goals against, and posted the 12th-worst penalty kill percentage in March.
The Blue Jackets are two points behind the Islanders in the standings, but their recent form and history against New York don’t inspire much confidence. Columbus has lost six straight and has dropped eight of its last 10 meetings with the Islanders despite splitting the season series so far.
Handicapping the Islanders (32-37 SU, 35-34 ATS, 34-32-3 O/U)
New York’s three-game win streak ended on Saturday, but the Islanders picked up a valuable point in their overtime loss to Calgary. They now sit two points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, with two games in hand on the Rangers, who are one point ahead.
Sports Interaction lists the Islanders at +220 to make the playoffs, slightly better than the Rangers at +250, while Montreal sits at +140. Meanwhile, Columbus has dropped to 6/1. Both the Islanders and Blue Jackets face tough schedules down the stretch, with seven of their final 13 games against playoff teams, but oddsmakers clearly have more faith in New York.
The Islanders are 7-3-2 in their last 12 games. While their offense has been inconsistent, they have outscored Columbus this month. Since March 1, they rank 20th in goals and 16th in goals against per 60 minutes. Special teams have been a weak point, with a 17.1 percent power play and a 75.9 percent penalty kill, but they’ve still performed better than Columbus in both areas.
That said, New York ranks among the bottom five in shots against per 60 minutes over the last month and sits last in expected goals against (all situations), with Columbus just ahead at 31st.
While both teams have posted similar underlying metrics at five-on-five, the Islanders have been more effective in terms of actual scoring at both ends of the ice.
Best bets for Blue Jackets vs. Islanders
- Noah Dobson Over 2.5 Shots On Goal (-115) at Sports Interaction
While it took some time for Dobson to find his rhythm after returning from injury on Feb. 27, the 25-year-old has recorded three or more shots on goal in six of his last nine games. He has averaged three shots per game this season and hit that mark in 32 of 58 games. Given how many shots the Blue Jackets allow, his odds of recording three or more shots at -115 seem undervalued, making him a solid bet.
- Bo Horvat Anytime Goal (+170) at Sports Interaction
In eight games since the trade deadline, Bo Horvat leads the team in goals (four) and shots on goal (32), 10 more than the next-best forward. He also ranks first in expected goals (4.21), solidifying his role as the team’s primary scoring option. Horvat has recorded three or more shots in seven of his last eight games and should have plenty of opportunities to score Monday against a weak defensive team.