Rangers vs Blue Jackets Expert Prediction NHL 03/28

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Rangers

As the NHL season heats up, the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers are set to face off in a crucial Metropolitan Division matchup on March 28, 2023. With just a handful of games left in the regular season, both teams will be looking to secure a win to boost their playoff hopes. NHL experts, including those who make NHL picks by computer, are predicting a close game with both teams being evenly matched. However, many predict that the Rangers, currently ranked third in the Metropolitan Division, will come out on top. NHL today experts agree that the Rangers' impressive record of 37-5-1 when scoring at least three goals gives them a distinct advantage. The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, currently stand at eighth in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 23-42-7. However, don't count them out just yet; NHL experts picks today suggest that the Blue Jackets have the potential to cause an upset, as evidenced by their recent 5-1 win over the Rangers. NHL picks and parlays also suggest that this game could be high-scoring, with both teams boasting strong offensive capabilities. For the Rangers, Artemi Panarin and Chris Kreider will be the ones to watch, while the Blue Jackets will be relying on Johnny Gaudreau and Kent Johnson to deliver the goals. In terms of injuries, the Rangers have a clean bill of health, while the Blue Jackets will be missing several key players, including Zach Werenski and Patrik Laine. However, the Blue Jackets have shown that they're able to step up in the face of adversity, making this game an unpredictable and exciting one to watch. No matter which team comes out on top, this game is sure to be a thrilling matchup between two Metropolitan Division rivals. NHL experts picks for today suggest that either team could walk away with the win, making this one of the most highly anticipated games of the season.

Blue Jackets Offensive Analysis:

The Columbus Blue Jackets have struggled mightily this season, with a record of 23-42-7 and sitting in eighth place in the Metropolitan Division. Their offense has been a major part of their struggles, as they have only scored 163 goals this season, which ranks them 28th in the league. Despite their offensive struggles, there have been some bright spots for the Blue Jackets. Johnny Gaudreau has been a consistent producer for the team, with 18 goals and 49 assists on the season. He has been a key playmaker for the team and will need to continue his strong play if the Blue Jackets have any chance of upsetting the Rangers. Kent Johnson has also been a solid contributor over the past 10 games, with two goals and seven assists. He has shown flashes of brilliance this season and will need to bring his A-game if the Blue Jackets want to hang with the Rangers. Unfortunately, the Blue Jackets will be without some key offensive players for this game. Patrik Laine is out with a triceps injury, and Elvis Merzlikins is out for personal reasons. These absences will make it even more difficult for the struggling Blue Jackets offense to generate scoring chances against a tough Rangers defense. Overall, the Blue Jackets offense has been inconsistent at best this season. While they have some talented players, their lack of depth and overall scoring ability will likely make it difficult for them to put up enough goals to keep up with the Rangers. NHL picks experts and computer models predict a Rangers victory with a relatively low-scoring game. NHL picks and parlays may be a safer bet when it comes to this game, with the Rangers likely winning and covering the spread.

Blue Jackets: Defensive Analysis

The Columbus Blue Jackets will need to rely on their defense in their upcoming game against the New York Rangers. While the Rangers have a formidable offense, the Blue Jackets have struggled defensively this season with a minus-55 goal differential. However, there are a few key players on the Blue Jackets' defense that could make a difference in this game. One player to watch is Seth Jones, who leads the team in ice time and has 24 points on the season. He will need to continue to be a presence on both ends of the ice and help shut down the Rangers' top scorers. Adam Boqvist is another player to watch, as he has shown promise as a rookie with 16 points and a plus-four rating. Boqvist will need to continue to develop his defensive skills to help the Blue Jackets limit the Rangers' scoring opportunities. In addition to these top performers, the Blue Jackets will also need to rely on their penalty kill. The team has struggled with penalties this season, with an average of 10.4 penalty minutes per game. Against a Rangers team with a strong power play, the Blue Jackets will need to stay disciplined and avoid giving the Rangers too many opportunities on the man advantage. Overall, the Blue Jackets' defense will need to step up in this game to keep the Rangers' high-scoring offense in check. While it will be a tough task, the team has shown flashes of strong defensive play this season and will need to bring their best effort to have a chance at winning. NHL picks experts and computer systems may not predict a Blue Jackets win, but with a strong defensive effort, the team could surprise everyone.

Rangers: Offensive Analysis

In this upcoming Metropolitan Division matchup, the New York Rangers enter with a dominating offensive presence. With a 37-5-1 record when scoring at least three goals, the Rangers have consistently shown that their offense is a force to be reckoned with. NHL picks and parlay experts are likely to favor the Rangers' offense in this game, as they have consistently been a top-performing team. Artemi Panarin leads the way with 24 goals and 58 assists for the Rangers, making him a key player to keep an eye on. Additionally, Chris Kreider has recorded five goals over the past 10 games, providing the Rangers with another offensive weapon. Compared to the Blue Jackets, who have a 23-8-4 record when scoring at least three goals, it is clear that the Rangers are the stronger offensive team. NHL picks and computer predictions are likely to reflect this, as they often take into consideration a team's overall offensive performance. In the last meeting between these two teams, the Blue Jackets claimed a 5-1 victory. However, with the Rangers averaging 3.7 goals per game in their last 10 games, it is likely that the outcome will be different this time around. NHL experts picks today are pointing towards a Rangers offensive domination in this game, making it a prime opportunity for some of the best NHL bets today. Overall, the Rangers' offense is likely to be a major deciding factor in this game. NHL picks with spread are likely to reflect this and predict a strong victory for the Rangers. With the Blue Jackets struggling defensively, it is likely to be a high-scoring game, with the Rangers' offense coming out on top.

Rangers: Defensive Analysis

When it comes to defensive plays, the New York Rangers have been one of the top teams in the Metropolitan Division. As they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets, they need to play a tight defense to maintain their position in the standings. The Rangers have a solid defensive corps led by Adam Fox, who has 42 points and a plus-28 rating this season. Fox is a two-way defenseman who can shut down opponents while also contributing offensively. He's a strong skater and has a high hockey IQ that enables him to make quick decisions on the ice. Another key contributor on the Rangers' defense is Jacob Trouba, who has been a physical and imposing force on the blue line. He leads the team in hits with 135, and his size and strength make him a difficult player to play against. Trouba also has a good shot from the point, which can lead to scoring opportunities. The Rangers' defensive depth has also been impressive this season. Ryan Lindgren, K'Andre Miller, and Brendan Smith have all been solid performers, and each has played an important role in the team's success. They provide stability to the blue line and are capable of stepping up when needed. Overall, the Rangers have a well-rounded defense that can shut down opponents and also contribute offensively. This will be crucial as they take on the Blue Jackets, who have struggled this season. With their depth on the blue line and a strong goaltender in Igor Shesterkin, the Rangers should be able to limit the Blue Jackets' scoring chances and come away with a win. As experts and computer models predict a Rangers' win, the team needs to continue to focus on their defensive game and execute their defensive plays effectively. This will not only secure a win in this game but also ensure their position in the playoff race.

Injury Report Analysis for Blue Jackets vs. Rangers

In terms of injuries, the New York Rangers seem to have a clean bill of health with no players listed as injured for their upcoming game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. On the other hand, the Blue Jackets have several key players out with injuries. Mathieu Olivier is listed as day-to-day with a lower body injury, while Zach Werenski is out with a shoulder/labrum injury. Jake Bean, Justin Danforth, and Patrik Laine are also out with shoulder injuries, and goalie Elvis Merzlikins is out due to personal reasons. Defenseman Erik Gudbranson is listed as day-to-day with an upper body injury. The absence of these players could potentially have a significant impact on the Blue Jackets' performance, especially against a strong Rangers team. While the Blue Jackets have shown a decent record when scoring at least three goals, their defense could suffer with key players such as Werenski and Bean out. Overall, when making NHL picks and predictions, it is important to consider the injury report and how it may impact the team's performance. In this case, the Rangers appear to have an advantage over the Blue Jackets in terms of injury status.

Prediction:

Rangers are clearly the favorites in this matchup, but the Blue Jackets have shown that they can upset the Rangers as they did in the last meeting. However, with the Rangers' recent form, it seems unlikely that they will lose to the struggling Blue Jackets. The computer predictions also heavily favor the Rangers. Therefore, our pick is New York Rangers (Moneyline).

Pick: Rangers ML