[Oct 18, 2026 (Sun)] NHL Analysis Rangers @ Blue Jackets Preview - BeaverStats

This is an NHL analysis post written by AI.

Quick preview of Rangers @ Blue Jackets (Oct 18, 2026 (Sun)).

*Written before starting goalies and lineups were confirmed! They can change right before puck drop, so check the link below for the latest data.

You can see the full, more detailed data on the game list.

This post was analyzed/written by AI based on data from beaverstats.com. Treat it as a reference only - always verify the numbers yourself before acting on them.

Rangers @ Blue Jackets

Rangers projected starting goalie: Dylan Garand @ Blue Jackets projected starting goalie: Jet Greaves

The game hinges on which Jet Greaves shows up: the +10.1 GSAx home goalie or the .874 SV% one from this season.

Even blending in last season, since it is early, 5v5 xG% favors the Blue Jackets 51.7 to 48.0. This season alone it is 51.4 to 47.3, a 4.1-point gap. The Rangers are 6-3 with a 28-21 goal margin and 16-15 at 5v5. Columbus is 2-3 at 16-21 overall but 12-10 at 5v5. The Rangers' PK is 100.0%, Columbus's 55.6%.

Garand has a .910 SV%, +1.0 GSAx and a 2-2 record in four road games across two seasons. This year he is .915, +0.3, 3-2, with +0.4 GSAx over his last five, though his latest start allowed four. Greaves has a .905 SV%, +10.1 GSAx and a 16-11-7 record in 36 home games across two seasons. This season he is .874, -1.7 and 1-2, with -0.6 GSAx over his last five.

The Rangers lost 7-1 at New Jersey and have lost one straight, after beating Vancouver and Tampa Bay. Columbus has lost two straight, 7-3 to Florida and 5-3 at St. Louis. The Rangers went 1-2 in the last three meetings.

If starters change, Igor Shesterkin brings .927 and +4.8 GSAx over five starts this season, plus +15.8 GSAx on the road. Cam Talbot is .822 with -2.1 GSAx in two starts, and -4.0 GSAx at home.

In summary, Columbus leads at 5v5 while the Rangers lean on their PK. Whether Greaves holds his home form is the key, and the confirmed starters matter.