Blue Jackets Edge Rangers in Overtime Thriller

What we said beforehand

The Columbus Blue Jackets are set to take on the New York Rangers at Nationwide Arena on October 17, 2026. This matchup is intriguing as it features two teams with differing recent performances. The Rangers come into this game with a strong away record of 6-3-0, while the Blue Jackets sit at 2-3-0 at home. The Blue Jackets will be looking to improve their home form after suffering back-to-back losses, while the Rangers aim to bounce back from a recent defeat.

In their last five games, the Blue Jackets have recorded two wins and three losses. Their recent results include a 6-3 victory against the Buffalo Sabres, a 3-2 shootout win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, and three losses to the Utah Mammoth (4-1), St. Louis Blues (5-3), and Florida Panthers (7-3). This gives them an average of 3.2 goals scored while allowing 4.2 goals per game in their last five outings. In contrast, the Rangers have a record of 3-2 in their last five games, with victories over the New York Islanders (5-2), Vancouver Canucks (6-2), and Tampa Bay Lightning (4-1), alongside losses to the Washington Capitals (3-1) and New Jersey Devils (7-1). Their scoring average sits at 3.4 goals scored and 3.0 goals allowed in the same timeframe.

When it comes to home and away performances, the Blue Jackets have struggled at home with a record of 2-4 in their last ten games, averaging 2.8 goals scored and 3.6 goals allowed. The Rangers, however, have found success away from home, boasting a 5-0 record in their last ten games, with an impressive scoring average of 3.2 goals per game and only 2.3 goals allowed.

The two teams have faced each other three times in the current season, with the Blue Jackets holding a 2-1 advantage in their head-to-head meetings. Notably, the Blue Jackets won their last encounter on March 19, 2026, with a score of 6-3, while the Rangers won the match on March 3, 2026, 5-4. The Rangers previously defeated the Blue Jackets 2-1 on November 16, 2025.

In terms of injuries, the Rangers will be without several key players, including goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who is on Injured Reserve due to a knee issue, and Joe Veleno, Joonas Korpisalo, Aidan Thompson, and Adam Sykora, all of whom are also on Injured Reserve with various ailments. The absence of these players may impact the Rangers' performance as they face the Blue Jackets.

The betting market has priced the Blue Jackets at -135 on the money line according to DraftKings, with a spread of -1.5 and a total set at 6.5. The odds for the over are at 105.0, while the under is at -125. This indicates that the market expects a competitive matchup, albeit with a slight edge given to the Blue Jackets as the home team.

Conditions for the game are expected to be standard for an NHL matchup, with both teams looking to capitalize on their strengths and exploit the weaknesses of their opponent. Fans should watch for the performance of Columbus's Cole Sillinger, who leads the team with 3 goals and 5 points, and the Rangers' Alexis Lafreniere, who has been a standout with 7 goals and 11 points this season. The outcome of this game could hinge on the effectiveness of each team's offensive strategies and how well they can manage their defensive responsibilities, especially given the Rangers' injury concerns.