NHL Islanders vs Blue Jackets Picks and Odds | October 30, 3024

Published: Tue Oct 29, 2024, 11:05 pm ET

Read Time: 4 minutes

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We have the New York Islanders headed to Ohio to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets. New York is coming off a loss to the Anaheim Ducks last night, their 1st game of a back-to-back.

The Islanders are 3-4-2 to start the season, sitting 6th in the Metro. They haven't had a great start to the season blowing a few games already. New York's biggest problems over the past few years has been lack of offense and protecting their leads.

Losing newly acquired Anthony Duclair right away wasn't in the plans, but here we are. He is on the LTIR and should be back in the next 4 weeks. Right now, Kyle Palmieri leads the team with 7 points, followed by Brock Nelson and Noah Dobson.

Once guys like Bo Horvat and Mat Barzal really start clicking, this team could be dangerous. In this 2nd game of the back-to-back, Semyon Varlamov will get the start between the pipes.

Blue Jackets will look to get another win at home

Blue Jackets Mathieu Olivier moves the puck passed the Islanders JG Pageau.

They're playing with a purpose this year in Columbus with the loss of Johnny Hockey. This team was last in the Metro for almost all of last season but is 5th right now with a 4-3-1 record.

I like the way newly added Sean Monahan is playing. He is playing with his heart of his sleeve this year as he just lost his best friend. Monahan has 5 goals and 4 assists so far this season.

Kirill Marchenko has been leading this team with his 7 assists and 11 points. Yegor Chinakhov and Zach Werenski both have 8 points each as well. This team is clicking on offense, and I think they continue that against the Islanders.

Elvis Merzlikins will get the start in net. He is 1-2-0 so far this season with a 2.76 GAA and a .900 save percentage. Merzlikins just got his first win of the season in a great game vs the Oilers.

Let's check out the odds and get into the picks.

New York Islanders vs Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Odds and Game Information

Islanders vs Blue Jackets Betting Odds

Puck Line

New York Islanders -1.5 (+148)
Columbus Blue Jackets +1.5 (-184)

Moneyline

New York Islanders -164
Columbus Blue Jackets +136

Totals

Over 6.5 (+102)
Under 6.5 (-124)

Odds courtesy of BetOnline – Get 50% up to $1000 on your first deposit

Islanders vs Blue Jackets Game Information

Venue: Nationawide Arena, Columbus, OH
Date: Wednesday October 30, 2024
Puck Drop: 7pm EST
TV: MSGSN, FDSOH

New York Islanders vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction and Picks

Columbus winger Mikael Pyyhtia tries to shoot the puck passed New York defender Noah Dobson.

Islanders vs Blue Jackets Picks and Predictions: Game Total Under 6.5 (-124) Get 50% up to $1000 Deposit on BetOnline for this pick

The Islanders are playing their typical, boring hockey per usual. They rank in the bottom of the league for goals per game with 2.5, but actually are shooting a lot.

Shooting was always a sore spot, but the Isles are more, just not accurate. New York ranks last in the league for shooting percentage at 7.8%.

Columbus will most likely get to Varly. The Blue Jackets have also been scoring plenty this season, ranking 4th in the league with an average of 4.1 per game. Merzlikins has a sub 3 GAA, so with the way the Isles play – we should be looking at an under.

Even though their shooting percentage is low, I like for Merzlikins to get pepper, so I'll be taking over on his saves. The number should come out around 26-28 saves.

I also am going to continue to ride the trains of Anders Lee and Noah Dobson. Both guys have been dominating to start the season and absolutely firing puck on net.