Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Rangers Picks and Predictions March 15th 2025

Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Rangers March 15th 2025

The Rangers and Blue Jackets are set to face off at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The Blue Jackets will host the game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH. The Rangers 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. Bettors considering the Rangers’ motivation and Columbus’ recent struggles will find valuable angles in tonight’s NHL Betting Picks.

New York vs. Columbus Key Information

• Teams: Rangers at Blue Jackets
• Where: Nationwide Arena Columbus
• Date: Saturday, March 15th
• Betting Odds NYR -130 | CBJ +110 O/U 6.5

The Rangers Can Win If…

The Rangers improved to 32-28-6 with a 5-2 win over the Islanders. Entering as -1.5 goal favorites, they covered the puck line. The total was set at 6 goals, and the combined 7 goals surpassed that mark.

Four different players scored for the Rangers, with Artemi Panarin leading the way with two goals. They built a 2-0 lead before the Islanders got on the board, and the Rangers pulled away with two goals in the third period.

Artemi Panarin led the way for the Rangers with two goals, including his 9th of the season on an empty net and his 8th on a power play in the second period. Chris Kreider opened the scoring with his 8th goal, coming shorthanded in the first period. Vincent Trocheck added his 4th goal of the season, while Adam Edstrom netted his 1st in the third period.

The Rangers fired 40 shots on goal, scoring 5 times. Mika Zibanejad contributed with three assists, bringing his season total to 8. New York had 14 giveaways in the game.

Defensively, the Rangers will look to carry over their third-period performance from their last game, where they shut out the Islanders en route to a 5-2 win. Igor Shesterkin made 35 saves with a 94.6% save percentage, while the Rangers’ defense added 10 takeaways, 19 hits, and 18 blocks.

• New York has put together a record of 1-2 in their last three games (regular season). Their record vs the puck line sits at 1-2 in these matchups, while posting a 1-2 over-under mark.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Rangers have gone 5-5 straight up. Their record vs the puck line sits at 8-2 in these matchups, while posting a 3-6-1 over-under mark.

The Blue Jackets Can Win If…

Columbus dropped to 31-26-8 after a 7-2 loss to the Capitals. The Blue Jackets’ defense struggled from the start, allowing five goals in the first period. Going into the game, the total was set at 6.5 goals, and the combined 9 goals easily surpassed that mark.

As the underdogs on the puck line, Columbus failed to cover. They didn’t score until the second period, when Damon Severson found the net at 19:11. Kevin Labanc added another goal for the Blue Jackets later in the second period.

Columbus took 36 shots on goal but only found the net twice in their 7-2 loss to the Capitals. Damon Severson scored his fourth goal of the season, while Kevin Labanc added his second. The Blue Jackets were held scoreless in the first period before Severson got them on the board 49 seconds into the second.

Labanc’s goal came with 5:24 left in the second period. Columbus recorded 13 giveaways and failed to convert on any power play opportunities.

Columbus’ defense struggled in their last game, allowing seven goals on 22 shots from Washington. Goalie Daniil Tarasov made 15 saves with a 68.2% save percentage. The Blue Jackets’ defense also had 10 takeaways and 17 hits but gave up the first five goals of the game, including one just 56 seconds into the first period.

• Across Columbus’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 1-2. In these contests, the team went just 1-2 against the spread, while going 2-1 on the over-under.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Blue Jackets have gone 5-5 straight up. Their record vs the puck line sits at 6-4 in these matchups, while posting a 7-2-1 over-under mark.

The Lean

When it comes to a moneyline wager, I’m going with the Blue Jackets to defeat the Rangers while playing at home. Given the current moneyline odds at +110, I’m placing a wager on the Blue Jackets to win outright.

Our projections have the Blue Jackets pulling out a win as the underdog. But if you’re not as bullish as we are on the Blue Jackets, we’d recommend at least getting a bet down on them to cover the puck line.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 6.5 goals, we believe that this game will remain below that figure, and we recommend wagering on the under.

Rangers Look for Payback Against Struggling Blue Jackets

Saturday night features a pivotal matchup in the Eastern Conference wild-card race, as the New York Rangers visit the Columbus Blue Jackets, with both teams currently tied at 70 points. Columbus holds a slight advantage, having one game in hand, but enters this contest amid a significant slump, losing four of its last five games. Meanwhile, the Rangers seek redemption following an embarrassing 7-3 loss to the Blue Jackets just last Sunday.

Rangers Aim to Build Momentum After Key Win

New York snapped a frustrating four-game losing streak (0-2-2) on Thursday night, securing a vital 3-2 overtime victory on the road against the Minnesota Wild. Brandon Schneider delivered the decisive goal just 1:51 into overtime, while Vincent Trocheck and Jonny Brodzinski each added crucial tallies. Star goaltender Igor Shesterkin made 26 saves in an impressive bounce-back performance after a difficult stretch.

The Rangers’ offense continues to benefit from Artemi Panarin’s consistent productivity, as he extended his point streak to seven games (five goals, five assists) with his 41st assist of the season. Panarin’s ability to drive offense will be pivotal against Columbus, especially considering the team’s recent inability to win close games; prior to Thursday’s victory, the Rangers were 0-4 in their last four one-goal contests. Coach Peter Laviolette emphasized the importance of his team’s resilience, indicating that this win could provide the momentum needed to sustain their playoff push.

Blue Jackets Facing Major Offensive Challenges

Columbus is navigating a difficult stretch, exacerbated by their disappointing 4-0 shutout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday. Despite a solid 25-save performance from goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, the Blue Jackets’ offensive woes continued, particularly on the power play, where they failed to capitalize on three first-period opportunities.

Captain Boone Jenner highlighted the team’s frustration after the defeat, acknowledging the critical missed chances on the power play, which have significantly impacted their confidence. Columbus has struggled to maintain offensive consistency, reflected by their current skid of four losses in their last five contests. Adding to their challenges, defenseman Jake Christiansen sustained an upper-body injury against Vegas and has been ruled out for Saturday’s clash, further weakening their defensive depth.

Recent Head-to-Head History and Revenge Factor

In their most recent encounter on Sunday, Columbus thoroughly dominated the Rangers in a surprising 7-3 rout, led by rookie standout Adam Fantilli’s second career hat trick. Mathieu Olivier and Dante Fabbro each contributed significantly, further exposing weaknesses in New York’s defensive coverage.

However, the Rangers have generally been successful against the Blue Jackets this season, previously earning two victories—one a 1-0 shootout shutout by Igor Shesterkin (Jan. 18), and another a tight 4-3 victory decided late by Will Cuylle (Feb. 8). This history suggests that despite the recent lopsided result, the Rangers possess the necessary tools to bounce back. Bettors should factor in the Rangers’ clear motivation for revenge and their ability to deliver in critical moments, contrasted with Columbus’ recent slump.

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Expert Prediction and Betting Insight

This matchup offers significant betting intrigue, as both teams urgently need points in a tight Eastern Conference playoff race. While Columbus holds a game in hand, their recent form does little to inspire confidence, especially given their recent offensive drought. The Rangers, riding momentum from their overtime win against Minnesota, will likely approach this game aggressively, motivated strongly by their embarrassing defeat just days earlier.

Considering the Rangers’ superior goaltending, recent road success (7-3-3 in last 13 road games), and offensive depth, they hold the edge heading into Saturday’s matchup. The Blue Jackets’ depleted lineup and power-play struggles only further strengthen the case for backing the visitors.