New York Islanders vs Columbus Blue Jackets Picks and Prediction, Saturday, February 28, 2026

The New York Islanders face the Columbus Blue Jackets with both teams fighting for position in the Metropolitan Division and the Eastern Conference. The Islanders are 33-21-5 and three wins in a row have them in third place in the division while the Blue Jackets have a 29-21-7 record and with eight wins in the last 10 games, they are only six points out of a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Who will win this Saturday night battle? Check out our Blue Jackets vs Islanders prediction!

Stay out of the penalty box! Choose our NHL Predictions and hoist the Cup!

Islanders are led by an incredible defense

The Islanders are having a great season despite their offense struggling and scoring only 2.86 goals per game. Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal have scored 41 goals and 52 assists while Matthew Schaefer has scored 18 goals and 23 assists but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only seven forwards 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 2.71 goals per game, with only four goals in the last two games. Matthew Schaefer and Ryan Pulock have scored 8.5 defensive point shares while Adam Pelech and Tony DeAngelo have combined for 6.9 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Ilya Sorokin has been incredible, allowing only four goals in the last two starts.

Key injury report for Islanders

• No key injuries to report.

Blue Jackets hope offense fuels playoff push

The Blue Jackets are having a great season with their offense leading the way, scoring 3.09 goals per game. Kirill Marchenko, Charlie Coyle, and Adam Fantilli have combined for 49 goals and 78 assists while defenseman Zach Werenski has added 20 goals and 43 assists to open up the offense.

The offense has been great but the defense has prevented the Blue Jackets from being a playoff team, allowing 3.16 goals per game. Ivan Provorov and Zach Werenski have combined for 6.9 defensive point shares but the rest of the defensive unit has struggled, allowing opponents to carry the puck into the zone and generate good looks on the net. The bright spot is the play of goaltender Jet Greaves, who has allowed only three goals in his last two games.

Key injury report for Blue Jackets

• No key injuries to report.

Islanders vs Blue Jackets Pick

Money Line Pick For Islanders vs Blue Jackets

• Islanders (+105) (4 units)

The Blue Jackets look to bounce back from a rough loss but the Islanders are riding a three-game winning streak and look to take over this game from the first period. The Islanders should constantly find the back of the net with Bo Horvat, Mathew Barzal, and the rest of the forward unit controlling the puck in the offensive zone while Matthew Schaefer fires shots on the net from the blue line. Speaking of Schaefer, he looks to lead a defense that allows only 2.71 goals per game, and create turnovers in the defensive zone while goaltender Ilya Sorokin blanks the shots on the net. The Islanders should win the game with a strong performance on the road.

Take the Islanders money line as road Underdogs.

Over/Under Pick For Islanders vs Blue Jackets

• Under 5.5 (5 Units)

The Islanders are led by an incredible defense and both defenses look to step up and make this game a low-scoring one from the opening puck drop. The Blue Jackets should limit the Islanders offense, which averages only 2.86 goals per game, with Ivan Provorov, Zach Werenski, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone while limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Jet Greaves to make plenty of big saves. The Islanders, who have allowed only four goals in their last two games, should eliminate and potentially shut out the Blue Jackets with Matthew Schaefer, Ryan Pulock, and the rest of the defensive unit forcing turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone while goaltender Ilya Sorokin, who has allowed only four goals in his last two starts, blanks the shots on the net. The Under should cover in a low-scoring game with both defenses stepping up.

Take the Under on 5.5 goals.