Rangers vs. Blue Jackets: 3 things to watch for in critical game against conference rival
A mid-January game against the Columbus Blue Jackets originally didn’t jump off the New York Rangers schedule as anything special. But it’s a downright critical game for each team when the Rangers host the Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.
The Rangers (21-20-3) are 14th in the Eastern Conference, five points behind the surprising Blue Jackets (22-17-6) for the first wild-card spot with a game in hand. That means a regulation win by the Rangers puts them in a good spot trying to hunt down the Blue Jackets — and for that matter, the Boston Bruins, who lead them by four points for the second wild card in the East.
Coming off a solid Western road trip where they grabbed five of six points, the Rangers carry a six-game point streak (4-0-2) into the game Saturday, turning the page on their brutal play in November and December.
If you think the Rangers’ run is impressive, check out the Blue Jackets. The team universally predicted to finish in the basement of the Metropolitan Division, is on a season-long six-game winning streak and is 10-2-1 since Dec. 19.
Somehow, the resilient Blue Jackets motor along, even after the tragic offseason death of their best player, Johnny Gaudreau, the trade of high-scoring forward Patrik Laine and playing without captain Boone Jenner all season as he recovers from shoulder surgery.
It all adds up to an unexpectedly very important clash between the Rangers and Blue Jackets on Saturday.
Related: Rangers ready for crucial back-to-back this weekend against conference rivals
3 things to watch for when Rangers host Blue Jackets
1. Time to be homers
The Rangers play five of their next six games at The Garden, and eight of 10. It’s time for them to get their act right on home ice, where the Rangers are just 9-9-2 this season.
Their play at MSG has picked up lately. The Rangers have points in three straight at home (2-0-1). But if they plan on surging back into a playoff spot, winning at home is extremely important, no matter how well they’ve played on the road (12-11-1).
Saturday is a good chance to assert themselves on home ice because the Blue Jackets are a pretty miserable road team this season. The Blue Jackets have six road wins (6-12-3), fewest among the 16 teams currently holding a playoff spot. It should be noted, though, that the Blue Jackets did win in St. Louis and Pittsburgh during their current streak.
2. Feed them some Bread
Artemi Panarin is coming off a two-goal outing in the 5-3 comeback win against Utah on Thursday and sits one shy of his ninth 20-goal season in the NHL. Two of those seasons came when the 33-year-old played with the Blue Jackets. He scored 27 goals for them in 2017-18 and 28 the following season, before signing with the Rangers as a free agent.
Known as one of the slickest playmakers in the sport, Panarin also has 284 goals in 714 NHL games, including an NHL career-high 49 last season, when he displayed a decisive shoot-first mentality. The Rangers could use more of that from The Breadman, considering how inconsistent their offensive production has been.
Take note that Panarin’s scored 13 goals in 18 career games against the Blue Jackets. He also has 14 assists for a total of 27 points. Keep an eye on him Saturday.
3. Talking Norris
Adam Fox will be the only defenseman on the ice Saturday who’s won the Norris Trophy as the League’s best at the position. He did so in 2020-21 and has been in the top-five voting each season since. This season, Fox is tied for sixth among NHL defensemen with 32 assists and is ninth with 34 points.
But he’s not the D-man playing Saturday with the best chance to win the Norris this season. That would be Zach Werenski of the Blue Jackets. The 27-year-old leads all Jackets skaters with 51 points in 45 games and leads all NHL defensemen with 15 goals and those 51 points. HIs 26:41 average TOI is most among all skaters in the League.
Simply, Werenski has been a force, perhaps a Hart Trophy candidate as league MVP, as well a top Norris contender. Since Dec. 19, Werenski has 20 points (five goals, 15 assists)) in 13 games, including one four-point game and two three-point outings.
New York Rangers projected lineup
Panarin – Trocheck – Lafreniere
Cuylle – Zibanejad – Smith
Kreider – Chytil – Kaliyev
Edstrom – Carrick – Rempe
Lindgren – Fox
Miller – Borgen
Vaakanainen – Schneider
Shesterkin
Quick
Rangers vs. Blue Jackets: When, where, what time, how to watch
Who: New York Rangers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
When: Saturday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Madison Square Garden
How to watch: MSG
More About:New York Rangers News
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