Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Rangers: Stat Hook and Preview

Nationwide Arena is set to host a high-energy NHL battle on Sun, 18 Oct, 10:00 am AEDT as the Columbus Blue Jackets take on the New York Rangers. Columbus enters this home fixture looking to steady the ship after dropping two consecutive outings overall, while New York arrives boasting a strong 6-2-0 season record.

If you are following our nhl tips for Sunday's action, this Metropolitan Division clash features a massive stat narrative to dissect before puck drop.

Who Will Win?

The numbers say there is a stark contrast between these two Eastern Conference units across their 2027 season stats. New York sits high on the ladder in 2nd place with 12 points, backed by an elite 91.67% penalty kill rate and a 0.927 save percentage. On the flip side, Columbus ranks 27th overall with a 2-3-0 record, allowing 4.2 goals against per game compared to New York's stingy 1.75 goals against per game. Forward Alexis Lafrenière jumps off the page for the Rangers with 7 goals and 3 assists, while Cole Sillinger leads Columbus with 3 goals and 2 assists.

Looking at recent form, both teams are coming off a loss in their most recent result. Columbus suffered a 7-3 loss at home against the Florida Panthers on Wed, 14 Oct, whereas New York fell 7-1 on the road to the New Jersey Devils on Fri, 16 Oct. Prior to that bump in the road, the Rangers had put together impressive victories over Tampa Bay (4-1) and Vancouver (6-2). In the match winner market, Columbus is priced at 1.85, while New York is positioned at 1.95. The Rangers' overall defensive discipline and penalty kill efficiency give them a big tick to get back on track away from home.