🏒 Blue Jackets vs. Rangers Prediction & Odds: NHL Picks Today (March 2)

The Columbus Blue Jackets will look to snap a two-game skid when they visit the New York Rangers tonight at Madison Square Garden. It should be an intense Metropolitan division showdown which could have major playoff implications for the visitors, who are chasing a playoff berth.

Columbus is trading as a -125 moneyline road betting favorite. My Blue Jackets vs. Rangers prediction highlights why the visitors should get back on track when the puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on NHL Network. I'm also going to tell you why the value on Mason Marchment to record a single point is excellent.

🏒 Blue Jackets vs. Rangers picks & odds today: March 2

See all of our experts' NHL picks based on the latest NHL odds; picks rated on a 1-to-5 star confidence scale based on betting value.

Total wagered: 1.9 units | Max profit: 1.65 units

💰 Blue Jackets vs. Rangers prediction & best bet

Blue Jackets moneyline (-125)

The Blue Jackets are the superior team in almost every way and will be highly motivated to secure their first post-Olympics victory. Columbus consistently outproduces New York offensively, averaging over three goals per game. While Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin remains elite, he'll face the heavier workload tonight: New York averages just 25.4 shots per game, among the league's worst.

The Rangers are in full "retool" after trading Artemi Panarin before the break. With Columbus fighting for a playoff spot, and New York eyeing a top draft pick, the Jackets should outwork them.

Score prediction: Columbus 3, New York 1

🔥 Best Blue Jackets vs. Rangers player prop bet

Mason Marchment to record 1+ points (-118)

It's been a whirlwind start for Marchment since joining the Jackets on Dec. 19. The left winger has slotted into the top line and top power-play unit seamlessly, notching 10 goals and six assists in 16 games.

While his shooting percentage since joining CBJ (34.5%) isn't sustainable, his ability to produce assists alongside Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko grants him a second path to making this one pay.

The Rangers' struggles should provide plenty of opportunity for that trio to find the scoresheet, and Marchment's price is the best of the three. I'd be comfortable playing this to the -150 range, but you can catch the -118 price at BetMGM to cap out the value. 

📊 Live Blue Jackets vs. Rangers odds

A two-game skid has the public not so sure about the Jackets, who opened as -140 moneyline favorites but are now trading at -125 after a small majority of early money came in on the Rangers. You might see a small marginally as the day stretches on and more public money comes in, but it's unlikely to be much movement either way. 

Similarly, it would be shocking to see a lot of movement from the total, which is lined at 6 and hasn't seen much movement in the price on either side. That's not my favorite way to attack this game anyway.

💡 How I'm betting Blue Jackets vs. Rangers

Follow all of our NHL analysis and expert predictions this season.

I'm not going to get too carried away with this game - my favorite play is the Marchment point, although I do think the Blue Jackets are the better team. My hesitation comes from how little material we've seen since the Olympic break: teams are just getting their legs back under them after a multi-week layoff, and we can't draw many conclusions from the little action we've seen. There's also the Shesterkin factor, who continues to post top-10 numbers in GAA (9th, 2.45) and SV% (t-7th, .913). Elite goaltenders can sway games, even when their team isn't playing particularly well.

Best not to get too carried away in this spot.

🚀 Blue Jackets vs. Rangers same-game parlay

All three of my plays here can work well together to give us a decent same-game parlay. The cornerstone of the Jackets' winning should be Marchment continuing his productive play, and a Rangers squad without its top scorer and with an elite goaltender should all go hand-in-hand.

📈 Blue Jackets vs. Rangers betting trends

🚑 Blue Jackets vs. Rangers injuries

📺 How to watch Blue Jackets vs. Rangers

• Date: Monday, March 2
• Puck drop: 7 p.m. ET
• Location: Madison Square Garden (New York)
• TV: NHL Network