The Columbus Blue Jackets (32-30-5) head to Long Island to face the New York Islanders (29-27-9) Thursday at UBS Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we look at the Blue Jackets vs. Islanders odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
This is the second half of a home-and-home between the teams. The Islanders beat the Blue Jackets 4-3 Tuesday. That was the fourth straight loss and fifth in the last six games for Columbus. They’re just not getting it done on the offensive end with nine goals in those four games. It’s probably not coincidental, but RW Patrik Laine is on a four-game goal-scoring drought.
The Isles are in a soft spot in their schedule, and they’ve generally handled the weaker teams and lost to powerhouses over the last 10 (6-3-1). Goalie Semyon Varlamov was the difference Tuesday as he stopped 42 of 45 shots.
- Money line: Blue Jackets +160 (bet $100 to win $160) | Islanders -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jackets +1.5 (-145) | Islanders -1.5 (+115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -125)
Blue Jackets at Islanders projected goalies
Elvis Merzlikins (22-16-5, 3.40 GAA, .902 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Semyon Varlamov (7-13-2, 2.88 GAA, .914 SV%, 1 SO)
Merzlikins may become subject to a name-changing meme for how leaky he has been this month. He has given up at least three goals in 10 of his 12 starts in March. He wasn’t particularly good Tuesday, letting four shots pass while making 25 saves. But this is the same guy that shut out the Carolina Hurricanes and Winnipeg Jets this season.
As mentioned, Varlamov kept the Islanders in Tuesday’s game, stopping 42 of 45 shots. He has been a crash test dummy of sorts as he has seen at least 38 shots fired at him in five of his eight starts this month. Is this where his usage finally takes its toll?
Prediction
Blue Jackets 4, Islanders 3
Money line
The Islanders bent but didn’t break Tuesday. This may be the place the ice divots start to break open. It’s really hard to sweep a team in a home-and-home. This is the longest Laine has gone without a goal in more than two months. Look for him to light the lamp Thursday, and we’ll LEAN BLUE JACKETS (+160).
Against the spread
Even if Columbus can’t pull off the upset, it’s going to be in the game. The Blue Jackets are 40-27 on the puck line this season. Hit the BLUE JACKETS +1.5 (-145) for a full unit as their price isn’t too prohibitive to add some insurance on the money line.
Over/Under
Columbus’ goalie has struggled, and New York’s goalie has been under constant duress, which could break at any time. They hit the over Tuesday, and the Over is 5-1-1 in the last seven the Isles have been favored in at home. It’s a hunch, and the sportsbooks aren’t feeling it with plus-money incentive. But LEAN OVER 6.5 (+100).