New York Rangers vs Columbus Blue Jackets Picks and Predictions for Thursday March 19 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 03/19/2026, 12:05 AM ET

The New York Rangers head on the road to face the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, with puck drop set for 7:00 PM on ESPN+. Columbus comes in as a -218 favorite while the Rangers are +180 underdogs, and the total is set at 6.5 goals. Be sure to check out our free NHL picks for more top plays across the board.

Rangers Trying to Stay Hot on the Road

The Rangers enter this matchup with a 28-31-8 record, including a solid 19-15-2 mark on the road. They have shown improved form recently, recently winning over Minnesota, Winnipeg, Calgary, and Philadelphia while recently losing to Los Angeles.

Offensively, New York is averaging 2.79 goals per game while allowing 3.12 goals against per game. They are generating 25.2 shots per game but allowing 29.1, which shows some defensive pressure issues. Their power play has been a bright spot, producing 41 goals at a strong 24.6% rate.

One area the Rangers can lean on is their special teams efficiency, particularly the power play, but their defensive lapses and penalty kill at 78.2% continue to create challenges, especially against higher-powered offenses.

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Blue Jackets Strong at Home Ice

Columbus comes into this game with a 35-21-11 record and an impressive 18-8-7 home record. They have been playing well lately, recently winning over Carolina, Philadelphia, and Tampa Bay while recently losing to Florida and Los Angeles.

The Blue Jackets are averaging 3.15 goals per game while allowing 3.10 goals against. They generate 29.9 shots per game and allow 29.4, showing a fast-paced style of play. Their power play has contributed 34 goals at a 20.7% success rate.

Columbus’ strength lies in their ability to push tempo and create scoring chances consistently, especially at home. While their penalty kill at 77.7% is not elite, their offensive pressure often compensates by forcing opponents into mistakes.

Rangers vs Blue Jackets Pick

Columbus Blue Jackets -1.5 (+120)

Columbus has been far more consistent overall and particularly strong at home, which gives them a clear edge in this matchup. The Rangers have been better recently, but their defensive issues and shot differential are concerning against a team that generates as many chances as Columbus. Expect the Blue Jackets to control the pace and pull away late.

Rangers vs Blue Jackets Total Pick

Over 6.5

I like the over in this game because both teams play at a higher pace and have shown defensive vulnerabilities. With the Rangers allowing over three goals per game and Columbus pushing tempo at home, I expect plenty of scoring opportunities on both sides.

Final Score Prediction: Blue Jackets 4, Rangers 2

This prediction was written before the completion of game play on Wednesday.