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New York Islanders vs Columbus Blue Jackets Picks and Predictions – Sunday December 28, 2025
The New York Islanders head to Columbus on Sunday night to face the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena, with puck drop set for 6:00 PM ET on ESPN+. It’s a Metropolitan Division matchup with two teams trending in different directions coming out of the break and a big goaltending storyline driving the handicap.
New York is on a back-to-back after a 2-0 win over the Rangers, and they’ve been one of the steadier teams in December despite missing important pieces. Columbus has been idle since Monday, and while the Jackets got a good road win in Los Angeles, the bigger sample is still a slide that’s dragged them down the standings.
The key angle here is that the Islanders are doing this without Ilya Sorokin. Instead of sinking, they’ve gotten strong play from David Rittich, and that has changed how you price New York in games where the market still expects a drop-off.
New York Islanders vs Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor updated NHL odds leading into puck drop. Keep checking the latest NHL odds for any late movement tied to goalie confirmations and Columbus lineup news.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Islanders | -112 | -1.5 (+210) | O 5.5 (-112) |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | -108 | +1.5 (-250) | U 5.5 (-108) |
New York Islanders Betting Form
The Islanders have quietly been one of the better betting profiles this month because the game has looked repeatable. They’re playing with more structure, they’re defending the middle with more purpose, and they’re getting enough finishing to win the one-goal type of games they tend to live in. The roster situation hasn’t been clean either, and yet they’ve still kept banking points, which is usually a sign the process is working.
Rittich is the biggest story. If he starts again, it would be his fourth straight, and his numbers in this stretch have been strong enough that the normal “backup downgrade” doesn’t apply in the same way. That doesn’t mean the market should price him like Sorokin, but it does mean New York’s floor stays higher than you’d expect, especially when the Islanders are playing a simpler, lower-event style in front of him.
For recent results and team context, check New York Islanders stats and results. Availability matters here, so monitor the New York Islanders injury report before puck drop.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Form
Columbus is stuck in that frustrating zone where they’re not getting blown out every night, but they’re not winning enough either. The Jackets have been sliding for weeks, and the standings reflect it. The bright spot lately is that they’ve gotten some offense from new additions, and Mason Marchment has made an immediate impact, which gives them a different look in the top nine.
The concern is their defensive situation, especially if Zach Werenski sits again. He’s the kind of player that changes your breakout quality and your ability to hold the offensive blue line. Without him, Columbus tends to spend more time defending and is more likely to take penalties or ice the puck, which snowballs into tired shifts. Against an Islanders team that’s comfortable grinding out a 2-1 type of game, that’s not ideal.
For the season profile and recent trends, use Columbus Blue Jackets schedule and stats. Also keep tabs on the Columbus Blue Jackets injury report because Werenski’s status is one of the biggest inputs for this matchup.
Islanders vs Blue Jackets Matchup Breakdown
This is a pace game. The Islanders want it slower, more structured, more dumps and retrievals, and fewer track meets through the neutral zone. Columbus is better when it can play faster, but if they’re missing key pieces on the back end, they may not have the puck support to play that style consistently.
Special teams could be the separating factor. New York’s five-on-five game has been steady, and they’ve been comfortable winning without scoring four. Columbus, when it struggles, often ends up needing a power play goal to stabilize the night. If the officiating is tight and the game turns into a parade, I’d rather be holding the side with the better special teams execution and the calmer defensive identity, and that’s been New York lately.
Goaltending is the last variable. Rittich has been excellent, but back-to-back starts can be tricky, especially on the road. If the Islanders go to their other option, that changes the handicap quickly. On the Columbus side, the starter matters too, because a strong goalie performance is the easiest way for the Jackets to flip this into a win.
If you want a consistent framework for these goalie-driven, lower-total matchups, the NHL betting guide is useful for deciding when to play a moneyline versus a total.
Islanders vs Blue Jackets Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is Islanders moneyline (-112). I like the current version of New York more than the current version of Columbus, and the price is basically a coin flip. The Islanders have been playing a repeatable style, and they don’t need a perfect offensive night to win because their defensive structure and goaltending have been stable.
The total is where the market is making a statement too. At 5.5 with light juice both ways, it’s telling you to expect a tighter game. That aligns with the Islanders’ recent results, and it aligns with how Columbus has played when it’s missing key blue-line pieces. The risk to an under is that Columbus can give up extended-zone time and take penalties, which creates multi-goal swings quickly. But if the game stays five-on-five, I think this trends under.
I’m projecting something like 3-2 Islanders, with New York controlling long stretches and Columbus needing to finish a smaller number of chances.
Best Bet: New York Islanders moneyline (-112).
NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
NHL edges come from process, especially in spots where goalie confirmation and injury status can change the whole handicap late. Comparing multiple viewpoints helps, and today’s NHL picks is a good way to see how different handicappers are attacking the slate.
Long-term accountability matters too, because hockey variance can make anyone look sharp for a week. The top sports handicappers page helps you find consistent performers, and the handicapper leaderboard keeps records transparent if you’re deciding who to follow. If you want more volume beyond free plays, premium NHL picks can fit better than forcing action into every matchup.
For broader daily coverage, the NHL previews hub keeps matchups organized, and the Stanley Cup betting guide is useful if you’re also tracking futures while still betting nightly sides and totals.
