New York Islanders vs Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Pick & Prediction for 12/28

bangthebook nhl game preview

The New York Islanders will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets in an NHL regular season game. The game is set to take place at Nationwide Arena on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at 5:00 PM. Fans can catch the action on ESPN+.

The Islanders have a record of 21-13-4 and are led by head coach Patrick Roy. They are ranked third in the Eastern Conference and second in the Eastern Metropolitan Division. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets hold a 15-15-6 record under head coach Dean Evason, sitting in the 16th spot in the conference and eighth in the division.

Islanders vs Blue Jackets Game Day Info

  • Sport: NHL
  • Teams: New York Islanders vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
  • Venue: Nationwide Arena
  • Date: Sunday, December 28, 2025
  • Betting Odds: Columbus Blue Jackets -141, New York Islanders +119

New York Islanders Team Preview

The New York Islanders have been in solid form recently. They have secured two wins in their last three games. Their most recent victory was a 2-0 win against the New York Rangers, with Anders Lee and Simon Holmstrom scoring the goals.

In their recent matches, the Islanders have shown good defensive play. Against the New Jersey Devils, they won 2-1, with Marcus Hogberg in goal. The team has been consistent in blocking shots, with a notable 19 blocks against the Rangers.

The Islanders’ top skaters are contributing well this season. Bo Horvat leads the team with 19 goals in 33 games, while Mathew Barzal has 29 points. Ilya Sorokin has also been a key player in goal, with 12 wins in 24 games played.

Columbus Blue Jackets Team Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets are coming off a strong win against the Los Angeles Kings. In that game, Mason Marchment led the way with two goals. Damon Severson added two assists, helping the team score all their goals on the power play.

In the recent loss to the Anaheim Ducks, Zach Werenski and Dmitri Voronkov each scored a goal. The Blue Jackets took 26 shots on goal but allowed four goals. This put a spotlight on their need for a tighter defense.

At home against the Minnesota Wild, the Blue Jackets struggled defensively, losing by three goals. Zach Werenski stood out with two goals and eight shots. Despite the loss, the Blue Jackets showed they can generate offensive chances.

BTB Betting Pick

The Columbus Blue Jackets are favored with a moneyline of -141. The New York Islanders are the underdogs at +119. Considering the Blue Jackets have a stronger defensive record, allowing only 93 goals against, they are the pick to win. The projected score is Columbus 4, New York 3.

The total for the game is set at 6.0, with the under at -117 and the over at -106. Both teams have solid offensive stats, but Columbus’s strong defense might limit scoring. The projected total is 7, so the recommendation is to go with the over. This suggests a game with plenty of action on both ends of the ice.