Despite near-identical winning records so far, the Columbus Blue Jackets have had the more impressive start, from a betting perspective, to the 2021-22 NHL season than their Friday night opponents, the New York Rangers.
The BJs (+130) have been the betting underdog in five of their six games but have picked up four wins along the way, while the Rangers (-150) are 1-3 SU at +100 or lower odds to begin the year.
Here are our free NHL betting picks and predictions for Blue Jackets vs. Rangers for Friday, October 29.
Blue Jackets vs Rangers odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
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Blue Jackets vs Rangers picks
Picks made on 10/28/2021 at 12:15 p.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Blue Jackets vs Rangers game info
• Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
• Date: Friday, October 29, 2021
• Puck drop: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: MSG, Bally Sports Ohio
Blue Jackets vs Rangers betting preview
Injuries
Blue Jackets: Adam Boqvist D (Out), Max Domi F (Out).
Rangers: Ryan Reaves F (Questionable), Kaapo Kakko F (Probable).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.
Blue Jackets vs Rangers head-to-head record (2018-22)
Blue Jackets: 5-3 SU, 23 goals for.
Rangers: 3-5 SU, 22 goals for.
Betting trend to know
The Under is 10-2 in Blue Jackets’ last 12 games playing on three or more days' rest. Find more NHL betting trends for Blue Jackets vs. Rangers.
Blue Jackets vs Rangers picks and predictions
Blue Jackets ML (+130)
The Columbus Blue Jackets finished 18-38 SU and in the basement of the Central Division under former head coach John Tortorella a season ago. This was considered a huge disappointment after a successful 2020 playoff run that saw them knock off the Maple Leafs in the play-in round. Torts got the can in the summer and now new head coach Brad Larsen has cut out the drama and got this club winning again even though it's only six games into the season.
The market still isn’t warm to the Blue Jackets, as they were +113 home dogs in their last game versus the Dallas Stars — a game which Columbus comfortably won 4-1. The BJs have picked up wins over the Islanders, Kraken and Coyotes, which is a mixed bag, but this is still a team that has Patrick Laine playing better, added Jakub Vorcek and has Oliver Bjorkstrand turning into a bonafide top-tier winger.
Third-year goalie, Elvis Merzlikins, looks to be back in top form, as the Columbus netminder is a 4-0 SU to start the year with a 1.47 GAA and a .952 save percentage. His wins came against the Coyotes, Kraken, Islanders and Stars. He sits second in goals saved above expected/60 (min. four games) and leads the league in save percentage. With the Jackets coming in as mid-size underdogs, Merzlikins is playing the kind of hockey that can steal his team a win.
The Rangers came into the season with big expectations. They beefed up, have a great first line, a top No. 1 defensive pairing, and their top picks from drafts past are further developed. The market was high on them to open the year as well, as they closed at -105 at Washington in the opener, a game they would go on to lose 5-1. They then lost 3-2 in OT at home versus the Stars as -135 favorites and hit the road for four games.
To the Rangers’ credit, they took all four games on that road trip which included a +152 win in Toronto (NYR were outplayed), but unconvincing wins versus the Canadiens, Predators and Senators don’t have us jumping to take the Rangers as the favorite at home, especailly at -150.
New York goalie Igor Shesterkin has been the reason the Rangers have picked up wins, but this is still a team that allows more chances than they create at 5-on-5, has a similar expected goals for/60 as Columbus, and is 3 for 26 on the power play, which is good for the third-worst success rate in the league.
These two teams are very similar in advanced metrics and both have eerily similar lineups all the way down to the fourth line. The Rangers seemed overvalued at -150 in this spot, especially with no advantage in scheduling as both teams last played on Monday. Give us the plus-money visitors.
Under 5.5 (-105)
If Shesterkin and Merzlikins get the nod on Friday (and they should with the schedule), there is only one way to bet a total that sits at 5.5 and leans to the Over.
Merzlikins has yet to allow more than two goals in any of his four games, while Shesterkin has allowed exactly one goal in three of his five starts and is coming off an off night versus the Flames where he gave up five. Combined, the two goalies are 2-7 O/U, with just one game hitting seven total goals or more.
The Rangers’ power play has also sputtered out of the gates, which is a head-scratcher considering the talent on the first unit. Either way, the Rangers have the third-worst PP in the league. Even at even strength, the Rangers are struggling to produce quality chances, as they sit 24th in expected goals for/60.
Columbus isn’t an offensive juggernaut either and scored fewer goals than the Buffalo Sabres a season ago. The BJs sit in the bottom-five in high-danger shots at 5-on-5. Eight of their 19 total goals scored this year came back in an 8-2 beating of the Coyotes in the opener.
With a pair of goalies who are on top of their games, getting the Under at -105 is a great price. Do some price shopping and see if any books hit the 6 to get the best number. Unders are hitting at 54 percent to begin the season while both teams have been profitable to the Under.
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