The Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers will square off on Monday, in what could be a crucial Eastern Conference tussle at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Columbus has shown flashes of strong offense and recent form, while the Rangers have struggled to put together consistent results despite additions in recent weeks. Bettors have a lot to consider with this Blue Jackets vs Rangers matchup, from recent trends to goaltending implications and scoring potential.
Our Blue Jackets vs Rangers Pick
Pick:
Confidence: 3.5 out of 5
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Rangers
- Date & Time: Monday, March 2, 2026, 7:00 PM ET
- Venue: Madison Square Garden
- Broadcast: NHL Network
Key Storylines
Recent form
The Blue Jackets have lost two straight games coming into this contest in New York. Columbus sits with a 29-21-8 season record and have been competitive in tight contests. The Jackets have shown that they can hang with teams above them in the standings, a club the Rangers do not belong to.
The Rangers have struggled with consistency this season, reflected in their 23-29-7 mark. New York has lost 20 of its 27 games at home and has been unable to sustain momentum, highlighted by a 1-5 stretch in their last six matchups. Though recent additions have offered a spark, overall production and results have been uneven.
Goaltending
Goaltending will be a central factor in this game’s outcome. Columbus’ netminder Elvis Merzlikins will get the start here. He has struggled with a 3.47 GAA on the season and will try to turn things around against the struggling Rangers.
For the Rangers, veteran Igor Shesterkin has been a stabilizing force since returning from injury, posting an above-average save percentage and logging strong minutes. His experience and shootout success add a layer of confidence for New York, though the Rangers have still struggled to close out games. How he performs on Monday will be key to New York’s hopes of finding a second win in a row.
Key skaters
Columbus’ offense is led by defenseman Zach Werenski and forwards like Kirill Marchenko and Adam Fantilli, all of whom have been impactful this season. Werenski’s point production from the blue line has consistently paced the team offensively, while Fantilli has shown the ability to score in bunches. Columbus also generates a healthy amount of shots per game, giving them opportunities to break through even against stingy defensive units.
New York’s offense has been anchored by Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck, though the Rangers have struggled to consistently put pucks in the net. Recent roster moves, including the addition of Tye Kartye, aim to inject energy and depth, but output remains a concern against disciplined opposition.
Betting Trends & H2H
- The Rangers beat the Blue Jackets by a goal in their first meeting of the season in Columbus.
- The under is 33-26 in Rangers games this season.
- The under has gone 29-28 in Columbus’ games this year.
Blue Jackets vs Rangers Model Projection
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Final Thoughts
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