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Islanders vs. Blue Jackets prediction: Why Columbus is favored to win Saturday's NHL matchup [2/28/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Ryan Leaver, Senior Sports and Betting Editor
Get NY Islanders vs Columbus Blue Jackets predictions for NHL Saturday.
The Columbus Blue Jackets will take on the NY Islanders in NHL action at Nationwide Arena on Saturday, beginning at 6:00 PM ET.
Based on updated simulations, Dimers' advanced NHL model projects the Blue Jackets as the most likely winner of the Islanders vs. Blue Jackets game.
This article offers further insights into Saturday's matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Isles vs. Blue Jackets prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using innovative machine learning and data, we have simulated the outcome of Saturday's NHL matchup between the Islanders and Blue Jackets 10,000 times as part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our famous predictive model gives the Blue Jackets a 56% chance of beating the Islanders.
According to our model, the Islanders (+1.5) have a 67% chance of covering the puck line, while the over/under total of 5.5 goals has a 53% chance of going over.
Islanders vs. Blue Jackets odds
We have researched the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Islanders | Blue Jackets |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-215) | -1.5 (+185) |
| Moneyline | +120 | -140 |
| Total | o5.5 (-122) | u5.5 (+105) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Islanders vs. Blue Jackets picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | Islanders +1.5 | -215 |
| Moneyline | Islanders | +120 |
| Total | Over 5.5 | -122 |
According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Islanders to win.
These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.
Islanders vs. Blue Jackets player props
Who will score a goal in Islanders vs. Blue Jackets?
According to our model, Bo Horvat is most likely to score an anytime goal in Islanders vs. Blue Jackets.
Our projections give Horvat a 32.7% chance of scoring a goal at Nationwide Arena, while the star is a 6.6% chance of netting the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
NY Islanders
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Bo Horvat | 32.7% |
| Mathew Barzal | 26.9% |
| Simon Holmstrom | 24.7% |
| Anders Lee | 23.8% |
| Matthew Schaefer | 23.1% |
Columbus Blue Jackets
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Mason Marchment | 30.8% |
| Kirill Marchenko | 29.6% |
| Adam Fantilli | 27.8% |
| Charlie Coyle | 27.4% |
| Zach Werenski | 22.4% |
First goal scorer predictions
NY Islanders
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Bo Horvat | 6.6% |
| Mathew Barzal | 5.4% |
| Simon Holmstrom | 5.3% |
| Anders Lee | 4.1% |
| Matthew Schaefer | 4.1% |
Columbus Blue Jackets
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Mason Marchment | 6.1% |
| Kirill Marchenko | 5.9% |
| Charlie Coyle | 5.3% |
| Adam Fantilli | 4.7% |
| Sean Monahan | 4.2% |
Isles vs. Blue Jackets game-day updates and essential details
Saturday's game between the Blue Jackets and Islanders at Nationwide Arena is scheduled to start at 6:00 PM ET.
- Who: NY Islanders vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
- Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
- Time: 6:00 PM ET/3:00PM PT
- Venue: Nationwide Arena
Conclusion
We predict the Blue Jackets, with a 56% win probability, will likely beat the Islanders on Saturday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Islanders vs. Blue Jackets insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are drawn from up-to-date data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Ryan Leaver uses advanced statistical models and simulations to predict outcomes and provide predictions for the NBA, NFL, college football, college basketball, and soccer. He offers detailed game previews, best bets, props, and futures articles.
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