Columbus Blue Jackets vs Ny Islanders Picks and Predictions October 30th 2024

Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Islanders October 30th 2024

Making on a bet on this NHL game featuring the Islanders versus the Blue Jackets? The puck drops at 7:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH. The Islanders come into this Metropolitan division matchup as the -1.5 goal favorite to pick up the win. Currently, the over/under for the game is at 6.5 goals.

New York vs. Columbus Key Information

• Teams: Islanders at Blue Jackets
• Where: Nationwide Arena Columbus
• Date: Wednesday, October 30th
• Betting Odds NYI -151 | CBJ +127 O/U 6.5

The Islanders Can Win If…

With a 3-1 loss to the Ducks, the Islanders fell to 3-4-2 this season. New York was favored on the puck line and the total was set at 5.5 goals, but the combined score of 4 fell short of that mark.

New York’s only goal came in the third period, after the Ducks had already scored twice. Mathew Barzal found the net at 14:29 in the third, but Anaheim sealed the game with an empty-netter at 19:00.

In their 3-1 loss to Anaheim, the Islanders fired 41 shots on goal but only found the net once. Mathew Barzal scored his third goal of the season on a power play, with Bo Horvat picking up his third assist and Noah Dobson his seventh.

New York had 12 offensive giveaways and didn’t score until the third period, 5:31 in. The Islanders had 2 assists in the game.

On the defensive side, the Islanders gave up the first two goals, both on the power play, and an empty netter late in the 3rd period. Ilya Sorokin made 19 saves with a 90.5% save percentage. The Islanders’ defense also recorded 6 takeaways and 16 hits.

• Across New York’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 1-2. Their record against the puck line in this stretch is 1-2 to go along with an over-under mark of 2-1.
• Across New York’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 3-7. This includes going 2-8 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 6-4.

The Blue Jackets Can Win If…

With a 6-1 win over the Oilers, Columbus moved to 4-3-1 this season. The Blue Jackets covered the puck line as underdogs, and the total of 7 goals surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5.

Five different players scored for Columbus, with Sean Monahan leading the way with two goals. The Blue Jackets kept Edmonton scoreless until just 27 seconds remained in the game.

Sean Monahan led the way for the Blue Jackets with two goals, his 5th and 6th of the season. He scored the first goal on a power play and added another in the third period. Cole Sillinger, who now has 2 goals this season, also contributed with a goal and two assists, bringing his assist total to 6.

Adam Fantilli scored his 3rd goal of the season and picked up his 3rd assist on Mikael Pyyhtia’s 2nd goal. Mathieu Olivier added his 4th goal of the year. The Blue Jackets took 25 shots on goal and recorded 16 giveaways.

On the defensive side, Columbus will look to carry over their strong performance from their previous game, where they allowed just 1 goal to Edmonton. Elvis Merzlikins had an impressive 31 saves with a 96.9% save percentage. The Blue Jackets’ defense also recorded 4 takeaways and 20 hits. The lone goal they allowed came on a power play with 27 seconds left in the 3rd period.

• Through their last three games, the Blue Jackets have a record of 2-1. Against the spread, the team is 3-0 in these same games while going 3-0 on the over/under.
• Across Columbus’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 5-5. The team’s record vs the puck line was just 8-2, in addition to an over-under mark of 8-2.

The Lean

For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Islanders to pick up on a win over the Blue Jackets and the road. With the moneyline sitting at -151, I’ll be locking in a bet on the Islanders straight-up.

If you’re looking for a puck line bet, I’d suggest going with the Blue Jackets to cover. Even in the event of a Islanders victory, this game is expected to be closely fought, and the Blue Jackets should cover the puck line.

For those looking at the over/under line set at 6.5 goals, our expectation is that this game will surpass that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the over.

NHL picks for today

High-Scoring Blue Jackets Face Off Against Islanders’ Defensive Grit: A Game Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets continue to defy expectations with an explosive offense this season. They’ll look to keep their momentum when they host the New York Islanders on Wednesday evening—a matchup that will test Columbus’s scoring prowess against New York’s disciplined defensive play and shot-heavy strategy. With each team entering the game from distinct trajectories, this showdown promises to offer fans a blend of high-octane action and tactical finesse.

Columbus Blue Jackets: A Surprising Offensive Force

After a commanding 6-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Monday, Columbus has solidified itself as one of the most potent offensive teams this season. This marked their fourth game with six or more goals, tying them with the Vegas Golden Knights for the highest count of such games in the NHL. Averaging 4.13 goals per game, Columbus ranks fourth in the league for scoring—an impressive feat given the team’s preseason expectations.

Their coach, Dean Evason, attributes this offensive surge to relentless work and team cohesion. “We’re going to work every night, and we’ve done that up to this point,” Evason said. “We’ve got to continue to do it.” This resilient approach is clearly paying off for Columbus as they set a franchise record with 33 goals through their first eight games.

Key Performances and Strategic Adjustments

Recent games have showcased exceptional individual efforts from the Blue Jackets’ roster, underscoring the depth and versatility of their lineup:

• Mikael Pyyhtia scored his first NHL goal in his 27th game, while Mathieu Olivier notched his fourth goal this season—just one less than his total from last year.
• Kirill Marchenko recorded two assists, extending his point streak to three games, a streak that includes two goals and three assists.

Evason’s tactical lineup adjustments have also proven impactful. Reuniting Yegor Chinakhov with Sean Monahan and Kirill Marchenko on the top line boosted their output, with the trio collectively contributing two goals and three assists in the victory over Edmonton. On the second line, Cole Sillinger, paired with Adam Fantilli and Pyyhtia, added three goals and three assists, showcasing a balanced offense that poses a threat from multiple angles.

Evason’s confidence in the lineup chemistry was evident. “That [top] line’s been so good with Chinny, Monny, and Marchy, so it’s nice to put them back together,” Evason explained. “And honestly, if you put Cole Sillinger with anybody, it’s a pretty good line.”

New York Islanders: Creating Chances but Struggling to Finish

The Islanders, on the other hand, have been battling to turn opportunities into points. In Tuesday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks, New York outshot their opponent 41-22 but suffered a 3-1 loss. This theme has been consistent: the Islanders have repeatedly outshot their opponents this season, as they did against the Detroit Red Wings in a 1-0 loss, but they’ve struggled to capitalize.

Mathew Barzal, who scored the only goal against Anaheim, expressed frustration over the repeated pattern but remains optimistic. “It’s just been kind of the same script for a lot of games this year,” Barzal said. “Just a lot of chances, outshooting a team… but it’s a long season, and we have belief that it’ll all even out down the road.”

The Islanders have managed only one regulation win in their first nine games, and their inability to secure victories on home ice has added to the pressure. Head coach Lane Lambert will look to see his team find the back of the net more effectively in Columbus, especially given their reliance on structured play to wear down opponents.

Islanders’ Goaltending Edge: Semyon Varlamov’s Role

In goal, Semyon Varlamov is expected to start after Ilya Sorokin’s 19-save effort against Anaheim. While Varlamov’s season stats reflect a mixed start—1-2-1 with a .854 save percentage and a 3.72 goals-against average—his record against Columbus is reassuring. Over his career, Varlamov has posted an 11-5-2 record against the Blue Jackets with a .937 save percentage and 2.18 GAA, including four shutouts.

As the Islanders look to improve their standings, Varlamov’s experience and success against Columbus could be critical in countering the Blue Jackets’ high-scoring offense.

The Anticipated Matchup: Offense vs. Defense

This game presents a compelling clash of styles. Columbus brings a relentless, goal-oriented approach that has enabled them to dominate offensively, while New York relies on structured defense and high shot counts to control the pace.

The Islanders will need to convert their shot advantage into goals and capitalize on Columbus’s aggressive offense, particularly by finding seams in the Blue Jackets’ defense. Columbus, on the other hand, will look to maintain their scoring consistency and exploit New York’s difficulty in finishing, using their lineup depth and line chemistry to break through the Islanders’ defense.

With both teams aiming to make a statement, Wednesday night’s matchup promises intensity and strategic play—a test of the Blue Jackets’ offensive firepower against the Islanders’ disciplined approach.

Conclusion

The Columbus Blue Jackets will enter the game with momentum and a renewed sense of offensive strength, while the Islanders seek to break free from their scoring slump. Fans can expect a hard-fought contest, as each team brings contrasting tactics to the ice. The outcome could hinge on whether Columbus can continue their scoring spree or if New York’s defense, bolstered by Varlamov’s steady presence, can stymie the Blue Jackets’ attack.

This matchup offers a perfect blend of contrasting strengths and styles, making it a must-watch game as each team strives to build momentum early in the NHL season.

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