Islanders vs Blue Jackets Prediction 12/28/2025 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate an Islanders vs Blue Jackets prediction for this NHL game on Sunday, December 28th at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

New York Islanders Betting Preview

The New York Islanders are 21-13-4 this season after they defeated the Rangers by a score of 2-0 in their last game. New York scored early in the first period to take a 1-0 lead and they added an empty net goal in the third to seal the win. The Islanders were out shot by a total of 27-26, won 42.1% of the face-offs, and went 0-5 on the power play in the game. New York got goals from Holmstrom and Lee, while Rittich stopped all 27 shots in the shutout win. 

Prior to that game, New York defeated the Devils by a score of 2-1, but lost to the Sabres by a score of 3-2 before that. The Islanders have won two games in a row and they are currently second in the Metro standings with 46 points. New York has scored 2.81 goals per game and they have allowed 2.70 goals against per game, while also going 16.4% on the power play and 81.6% on the penalty kill this season. Bo Horvat has led New York with 19 goals and 12 assists, while Mathew Barzal has added 10 goals and 19 assists. The projected starting goalie for New York is TBD, as Sorokin is currently on IR and Rittich started on Saturday. 

Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets are 15-15-6 this year after they defeated Los Angeles by a score of 3-1 in their last game. Columbus had their lead cut to 2-1 in the second period, but they scored a goal in the third to seal the win. The Blue Jackets out shot LA by a total of 30-24, won 53.3% of the face-offs, and went 3-7 on the power play in the game. Columbus got goals from Marchenko and Marchment (2), while Greaves stopped 23 out of 24 shots, which was a .958 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Columbus lost to the Ducks by a score of 4-3 and the Wild by a score of 5-2. The Blue Jackets have lost seven of their last nine games and they are currently last in the Metro standings with 36 points. Columbus has scored 2.89 goals per game and they have allowed 3.44 goals against per game, while also going 20.7% on the power play and 74.3% on the penalty kill this season. Zach Werenski has led Columbus with 14 goals and 26 assists, while Kirill Marchenko has added 11 goals and 16 assists. The projected starting goalie for Columbus is Jet Greaves, who is 9-9-5 with a 2.69 goals against average and a .906 save percentage this year. 

Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win

• The Blue Jackets have won eight of their last 10 home games against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Islanders have lost each of their last three road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in each of their last three games against the Islanders.
• The Islanders have failed to cover the puck line in eight of their last nine Sunday road games.
• The Islanders have lost the third period in five of their last six games against Eastern Conference opponents when trailing after the second period.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Islanders’ last nine games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Each of the Blue Jackets’ last four games as favorites following a road win have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Six of the last eight night games between two teams from the Metropolitan Division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Blue Jackets’ last 12 games as home favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in 12 of the Islanders’ last 18 games following a home win.

Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts

• Zach Werenski has scored a goal in four of the Blue Jackets’ last five games as home favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in 23 of the Blue Jackets’ last 25 games as home favorites.

New York Islanders Player Prop Facts

• Bo Horvat has scored at least one goal in each of the Islanders’ last three road games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Kyle Palmieri has recorded an assist in five of his last six appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Islanders vs Blue Jackets Prediction 

New York comes into this matchup looking for their third win in a row, but they played on Saturday, so they will be on a back to back here. The Islanders are 9-6-2 on the road this year, while the Blue Jackets are 7-6-3 at home. Columbus has really struggled over the last two weeks and they are allowing nearly 3.50 goals against per game. The Blue Jackets are not my favorite team to back, but I do think they have some value with the pretty big rest advantage. Take Columbus to win at home.

David Racey's Pick: Blue Jackets ML