Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Islanders Prediction, 3/22/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Islanders

Date: Sunday, March 22, 2026

Location: UBS Arena in Elmont, NY

TV: MSG Sportsnet

The New York Islanders (39-25-5) are welcoming the Columbus Blue Jackets (36-21-11) at UBS Arena on Sunday.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 6-3 win over the Rangers their last time out. Columbus had 12 minutes in the box in this matchup. Additionally, they had 5 power play attempts and scored 1 goal. The Blue Jackets had a solid offensive outing and it was apparent in the win. For the outing, they finished 6 of the 37 shots they tried.

In the matter of their goal scoring prowess, the Columbus Blue Jackets have racked up 217 goals (14th in the National Hockey League) on the season and have surrendered 211. For the current campaign, they have earned 83 points and their points percentage sits at .610. Columbus has accounted for 169 power play chances and they have notched 35 goals out of those chances, giving them a percentage of 20.71%. While playing at even strength, the Blue Jackets have allowed 169 goals while scoring 182 on the offensive side of the ice. Columbus has taken 2,043 shots and is the owner of a shot percentage of 10.6%. The Blue Jackets thus far have had 1,997 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .894. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have earned 190 power play tries (22nd in the league) and have racked up 42 goals in those chances.

The player between the pipes for this game is Jet Greaves. In his career, Greaves has earned 41 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .661. His save percentage sits at .914 during his 1,222 minutes played. Greaves has seen 1,962 shot attempts taken against him and has accrued 1,794 saves. Opponents have been able to score 168 goals versus Greaves in his pro hockey career and his goals against rate is 2.71. He has earned a mark of 33-21-10 and got the start in 62 games. Greaves has played in 65 games throughout his NHL career.

In their last game, New York went up against the Senators in a game where the Islanders took the defeat by a mark of 3-2. The Islanders earned 2 goals out of the 19 shots on goal they took. They had 4 power play chances in this one but weren't able to put one in the back of the net.

New York has taken 1,935 shots (15th in hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 10.23%, while allowing the opposition 1,934 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 82.26% on their oppositions 186 power play tries, and their save percentage currently sits at 90.2%. They have a total of 205 power play opportunities and they have a power play rate of 16.10%. The Islanders have earned 165 goals at even strength and 33 goals (27th in the NHL) while having a power play advantage. They have allowed 190 goals to be scored by of a combination of 157 goals at even strength and 33 goals while they were shorthanded. This season, the New York Islanders have earned 198 goals, 83 points, and a points percentage of .601.

On the other side of the ice you are going to see David Rittich protecting the net. His opposition is averaging 2.82 goals per game and he has surrendered 648 goals overall. Rittich's quality start rate sits at 53.9% and he has accumulated 124 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. He was named a starter in 230 contests and his ice time sits at 12,255 mins. Rittich has a career record of 122-80-29 and has been in goal for 256 contests. He has racked up 6,051 saves out of 6,699 shots taken against him, giving him a save % of .903.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take Columbus

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