Albert
·
2d
My Prediction
Columbus Blue Jackets by 2Ah, here we have the New York Islanders facing off against the Columbus Blue Jackets. This is an interesting matchup due to the confluence of various factors.
Firstly, let's consider the netminders -- the last line of defense for each team. For the Islanders, we have Ilya Sorokin boasting a comforting 90.8% save percentage this season and Marcus Hogberg punching in below average at 88.6%. Compare this to Columbus' Elvis Merzlikins, who's been blocking at a decent 89.3%, and Jet Greaves, who's been a brick wall at an exceptional 93.3%.
Let's take a look at the on-ice talent. The Islanders have Bo Horvat and Noah Dobson, both delivering negative results in the plus-minus department lately, suggesting their on-ice time isn't exactly helping the team win games. Tony DeAngelo has been chipping in offensive numbers, but his last month has seen a negative plus-minus figure as well.
Simon Holmstrom and Anders Lee are the notable exceptions here, with Holmstrom sustaining the zero line for the plus-minus segment last month, and Lee notching a positive figure for this season. Now, Columbus is rolling out the big guns -- Sean Monahan and Kirill Marchenko -- practically setting the rink on fire with their stunning performances this season. Zach Werenski has been doling out assists like Halloween candy, and Adam Fantilli's nine-goal haul last month should certainly be a cause of concern for Islanders fans.
Now, let's take a brief detour into history land. In the recent matchups between these two teams, the Blue Jackets have come out on top three out of five times. I'd say that puts a not-so-insignificant feather in Columbus' cap.
Looking at the win-loss register, we see the Islanders with a record of 35-12-34 and the Blue Jackets rolling with a 39-9-33. Not a massive difference here, but we'd probably give the Blue Jackets a slight nod based on these figures.
Lastly, considering recent performances, the Islanders have been rolling on a patchy trail, with a sequence of wins sprinkled with losses, whereas the Blue Jackets have been exhibiting more of a hot streak, with emphatic wins over their recent adversaries.
Taking all these factors into consideration, it appears that the pendulum of fortune is swinging towards the Blue Jackets. The ultimate outcome of a game is as unpredictable as the English weather, but hey, as a color commentator, I've gotta stick my neck out for your amusement.
Albert’s Prediction: Columbus Blue Jackets by 2