By: Mike Fink Published 12/28/2025, 06:20 AM ET 
The New York Islanders face the Columbus Blue Jackets with both teams on opposite ends of the Eastern Conference as teams return from the break. The Islanders are 20-13-4 and have the third-best record in the Metropolitan Division while the Blue Jackets have a 15-15-6 record and with only three wins in their last 10 games, they have the worst record in the Eastern Conference. Who will win this matchup? Check out our Blue Jackets vs Islanders prediction!
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Terms & Conditions Islanders hope offense improves
The Islanders are having a great season despite their offense struggling and scoring only 2.81 goals per game. Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal have scored 29 goals and 31 assists while defenseman Matthew Schaefer has added nine goals and 15 assists from the point but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only five skaters have eight goals or more, and opponents can limit the top-heavy offense as a result.
The offense has struggled but the defense has carried them, allowing only 2.70 goals per game. Matthew Schaefer and Adam Pelech have combined for 5.4 defensive point shares while Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield have combined for 4.4 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. Additionally, with Ilya Sorokin out with an injury, the Islanders have leaned on David Rittich, who has stepped up in a backup role with 5.4 goals saved above average.
Key injury report for Islanders Kyle Palmieri (knee) was placed on injured reserve. Had 12 goals and six assists this season. Ilya Sorokin was placed on injured reserve. Is the starting goaltender. Columbus has been let down by awful defense
The Blue Jackets are having a rough season with their offense struggling and scoring only 2.89 goals per game. Kirill Marchenko and Dmitry Voronkov have scored 24 goals and 27 assists while defenseman Zach Werenski has added 14 goals and 26 assists but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only five skaters have seven goals or more and opponents can limit the top-heavy offense as a result.
The offense has struggled but the defense has let the Blue Jackets down, allowing 3.44 goals per game including 10 goals in the last three games. Zach Werenski and Ivan Provorov have combined for 4.3 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. The bright spot is the play of goaltender Jet Greaves, who has allowed only four goals in his last two starts.
Key injury report for Blue Jackets No key injuries to report. Islanders vs Blue Jackets PickMoney Line Pick For Islanders vs Blue Jackets Islanders (+120) (4 units)
The Islanders are battling key injuries and playing on short rest but they are having a great season and they look to take over the game on both ends. The Islanders should pile on the goals against the Blue Jackets, who allow 3.44 goals per game, with Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat carrying the puck into the offensive zone while creating open shots with quick passes. The Islanders, who allow only 2.79 goals per game, should limit the Blue Jackets offense, which averages only 2.89 goals per game, with Matthew Schaefer, Ryan Pulock, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone while limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender David Rittich to make plenty of big saves. The Islanders should win the game and provide great odds in the process as road Underdogs.
Take the Islanders money line as road Underdogs.
Over/Under Pick For Islanders vs Blue Jackets
This is a low total and with the Blue Jackets defense struggling, this game looks to be a high-scoring one from the opening puck drop. The Blue Jackets should create plenty of scoring chances, with Kirill Marchenko, Dmitry Voronkov, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone while creating open shots with quick passes. The Islanders should run up the score against the Blue Jackets, who have allowed 10 goals in their last three games, with Mathew Barzal, Bo Horvat, and the rest of the forward unit establishing a strong offensive zone presence and creating open shots with effective puck movement as Matthew Schaefer picks apart the Blue Jackets from the point. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game with both offenses stepping up.
Take the Over on 5.5 goals.
The Islanders face the Blue Jackets with both teams looking to improve in the Metropolitan Division.
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