| MATCHUP | New York Islanders | Columbus Blue Jackets |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 33-21-5 | 29-21-7 |
| Spread | +1.5 -238 | -1.5 195 |
| Moneyline | +114 | -135 |
| Total | Over 6.5 (110) | Under 6.5 (-130) |
| Where | Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH | |
| When | Saturday, February 28, 2026 | |
| Time | 06:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
New York Islanders Betting Preview
The New York Islanders beat the Habs and Devils, and they play the Panthers next. The Islanders have won 3 straight games.
The New York Islanders are averaging 2.86 goals per game and are scoring 16.1 percent of their power play opportunities. Bo Horvat leads New York with 24 goals, Mathew Barzal has 35 assists and Anders Lee has 144 shots on goal. Defensively, the New York Islanders are allowing 2.71 goals per game and are killing 81.5 percent of their opponent’s power plays. David Rittich has allowed 59 goals on 590 shots faced, and Ilya Sorokin has given up 88 goals on 1,036 shots.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Blackhawks, lost to the Bruins, and play the Rangers next. The Blue Jackets have won 7 of their last 8 games.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are averaging 3.09 goals per game and are scoring on 19.6 percent of their power play opportunities. Zach Werenski leads Columbus with 20 goals, Kirill Marchenko has 27 assists and Adam Fantilli has 152 shots on goal. Defensively, the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowing 3.16 goals per game and are killing 77.2 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jet Greaves has allowed 96 goals on 1,067 shots faced, and Elvis Merzlikins has given up 72 goals on 639 shots.
Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win
- The Blue Jackets have won each of their last seven games as favorites.
- The Islanders have lost each of their last three games at Nationwide Arena.
- The favorites have covered the puck line in each of the Blue Jackets’ last six games.
- The Islanders have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last three night games at Nationwide Arena.
- The Islanders have lost the third period in 15 of their last 18 games as road underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents when leading after the second period.
Why the New York Islanders will win
- The Islanders have won three of their last four games as underdogs.
- The Blue Jackets have lost six of their last eight home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Islanders have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games after coming off overtime.
- The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in eight of their last 10 games following a road loss.
- The Islanders have won the first period in five of their last six games as underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the last five games between two teams from the Metropolitan Division has gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Islanders’ last four road games against Metropolitan Division opponents has gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Four of the Blue Jackets’ last five games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Blue Jackets’ last 14 games as home favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Islanders’ last 10 games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Sean Monahan has scored a goal in four of the Blue Jackets’ last five home games.
- Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in 11 of his last 12 appearances with the Blue Jackets as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Denton Mateychuk has recorded two assists against the Islanders this season—equal to the most against any opponent.
New York Islanders Player Prop Facts
- Mathew Barzal has scored a goal in six of the Islanders’ last seven games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Calum Ritchie has recorded an assist in five of his last six appearances in road games.
- Ondrej Palat has recorded two assists against the Blue Jackets this season—equal to his most against any opponent.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank T3rd in the league in short-handed goals allowed this season (2).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank T29th in the league for power play goals this season (27).
- The New York Islanders have recorded the equal-most wins when trailing after Period 1 this season (8).
- The New York Islanders have recorded the equal-most wins when tied or trailing after Period 2 this season (17).
New York Islanders vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction
The Islanders are putting together a strong week, but they’re also a team that does the opposite of what I predict. Right when I start to believe in the Islanders, they fall apart. So after three straight wins, I’ll bet this is a spot where they cool off. The Blue Jackets have been great at home this season and that includes four straight wins where both sides of the ice have shown up. The home team has won 7 of the last 10 games between the Blue Jackets and Islanders. Give me the Blue Jackets at a reasonable price.