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Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Islanders Picks and Predictions – March 22, 2026
The Columbus Blue Jackets head to UBS Arena on Sunday night for a Metropolitan Division matchup that matters in the standings and in the betting market. Columbus enters at 37-21-11 and riding strong form, while the Islanders come in at 39-26-5 after a rough defensive showing last time out. This is one of those late-season spots where the urgency is already built in, and that usually makes the handicap cleaner because both teams should be fully engaged from the opening faceoff.
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The market is tight, which makes sense. Columbus is listed as a slight favorite at -113, with New York close behind at -104. That tells you oddsmakers see this as a near coin-flip game, but recent form, defensive reliability, and current roster availability still give bettors a few angles to separate these teams. The game starts at 7:00 PM at UBS Arena and will air on ESPN+.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Islanders Odds
This is a close market, and bettors should keep tracking the latest NHL odds before puck drop in case the moneyline or total moves.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus Blue Jackets | -113 | -1.5 | Over 6.0 (-124) |
| New York Islanders | -104 | +1.5 | Under 6.0 (-101) |
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Form
Columbus is bringing the better recent momentum into this matchup. The Blue Jackets have won five straight and continue to get steady offensive production from multiple parts of the lineup. Their latest win, a 5-2 result over Seattle, was another example of a team that is playing fast, finishing chances, and not needing one player to carry the entire load. That matters in a road game like this because it gives them more paths to win if the game script changes. You can review the full Columbus Blue Jackets stats and results.
The numbers support that recent run. Columbus has scored 222 goals this season and ranks near the top of the league in shots on goal, which is usually a sign of a team creating sustainable pressure instead of just living off shooting luck. From a betting standpoint, that shot volume is important against an Islanders team that generally wants a more controlled pace. If Columbus is able to establish offensive-zone time early, it can tilt this matchup away from New York’s preferred style.
The injury situation is also more manageable for Columbus. Brendan Smith being out affects depth, but it does not change the overall identity of the team the way a cluster of injuries can. Zach Werenski and Adam Fantilli still give the Blue Jackets enough top-end push, and the team has been clean enough structurally to protect leads once it gets them. Bettors should still monitor the Columbus Blue Jackets injury report before betting props or regulation markets.
New York Islanders Betting Form
The Islanders come into this game with the stronger overall home record profile, but their last performance created some concern. Giving up seven goals to Montreal is the kind of outing that gets the market’s attention, even if it was a single-game spike. The Islanders did show some life offensively with three goals and two power-play scores, but the bigger takeaway for bettors is that the defensive structure was not nearly sharp enough. You can track more through the New York Islanders schedule and stats.
Over the full season, New York has still been a solid defensive team, and that cannot be ignored because one ugly result does not erase months of good work. The Islanders have limited scoring well overall and have been one of the tougher teams to break down when they keep games in a more physical, low-event rhythm. Under Patrick Roy, they are usually at their best when they compress the neutral zone, play from inside out, and force opponents to finish through traffic rather than off clean rush looks.
The issue entering this matchup is availability. Kyle Palmieri, Alexander Romanov, and Semyon Varlamov all being out matters, and Maxim Shabanov carrying a questionable tag adds another layer of uncertainty. That is not ideal against a Columbus team that is already skating with confidence. New York still has enough talent to stay live, especially at home, but bettors need to check the New York Islanders injury report before making a final call.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Islanders Matchup Breakdown
This matchup looks like a battle between Columbus’ current pace and offensive confidence against New York’s ability to slow games down and defend the middle of the ice. The Blue Jackets have been the better attacking team lately, and their shot generation gives them a real edge if they can establish early pressure. The Islanders are more comfortable in tighter games where they can grind shifts, limit second chances, and turn special teams or one defensive mistake into the difference.
At 5-on-5, Columbus has a case because it is creating more consistent volume right now. The Islanders are still capable defensively, but the recent form is not as clean, and the current injuries make their margin smaller. If Columbus gets its forecheck going and forces New York’s defense into rushed exits, the Blue Jackets can control the flow more than the moneyline suggests. That is one reason this game stands out among the day’s NHL picks.
Special teams are another factor, but maybe not in the way casual bettors expect. The Islanders did score twice on the power play in their last game, yet the stronger long-term betting angle here is total pace. Both teams have under trends that fit a tighter script, and the projected score range still points toward a one-goal game unless penalties pile up. That lines up with the type of read bettors often use in the NHL betting guide, where divisional familiarity and late-season urgency can suppress open-ice play.
The environment is straightforward. This game is indoors at UBS Arena on standard NHL ice, so weather will not affect the side or total directly. The more important environmental angles are home ice, line matching, and travel. New York gets last change, which matters in a close matchup, but Columbus comes in with stronger momentum and should not be overwhelmed by the setting. For bettors already looking at the bigger postseason picture, these are also the kinds of matchups that help frame long-range thinking tied to Stanley Cup betting.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Islanders Predictions and Best Bets
The side is close, but I lean to Columbus on the moneyline. The Blue Jackets are in better form, they are generating more shots, and they are playing with more offensive confidence right now. In a game lined this tightly, recent rhythm matters, especially when one team is coming off a four-goal loss and dealing with more notable injury questions.
I also like the under 6.0. The projection of a 3-2 type game fits the matchup, and both teams have season-long under tendencies strong enough to support that view. Columbus has not been an over-heavy team overall, and New York’s best path to winning is clearly through a controlled, more physical game rather than trading chances.
The only thing that keeps me from making the side the strongest play is how narrow the market already is. With both teams priced near even, there is less room for error if the Islanders rebound defensively at home. The total feels slightly cleaner because both teams have reasons to keep this game tighter than the number implies.
Columbus has the better current form and should be able to create enough offense to edge this matchup, but the strongest angle is still a lower-scoring game with limited separation.
Best Bet: Under 6.0
NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you are comparing this matchup with the rest of the Sunday card, the NHL previews hub is a strong place to start. It helps put this game in context with the rest of the board, especially for bettors deciding where this side or total ranks against other NHL opportunities.
It also makes sense to check the current best handicappers and the live leaderboard before making final card decisions. For bettors looking for additional premium support, the buy picks page is another useful stop before puck drop.
