Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New York Rangers Preview
Tonight, the Columbus Blue Jackets prepare to host the New York Rangers at Nationwide Arena in what promises to be a challenging matchup. The Rangers, currently boasting an impressive away record of 8 wins, 1 loss, and 1 overtime loss this season, have shown their dominance on the road, with their only regulation defeat resulting from a game against the Calgary Flames on October 26, 2023. Following that, they also faced a narrow overtime loss against the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 16, demonstrating their competitiveness. The New Yorkers have won five consecutive away games, adding to their strong performance this season.
Recent Performance
Coming off a recent 5-4 victory over the Edmonton Oilers, the Blue Jackets are eager to build on this momentum. This triumph marked their second consecutive win after enduring a four-game losing streak during a trip to Western Canada. With their current schedule filled with tough opponents, the Jackets are focused on continuing to score goals and intensifying their efforts as they strive for a favorable position in the fiercely competitive Metropolitan Division.
Team Statistics
Team statistics reveal the challenges both teams face tonight. The Blue Jackets currently sit with a power play success rate of 14.6%, ranking them 30th in the league, while their penalty kill is at 73.9%, placing them 26th overall. They’ve registered 53 goals so far, ranking 18th in the NHL, while their goals against stands at 55, 19th in the league. In comparison, the Rangers have a slightly better power play at 15.2% (28th) and an impressive penalty kill rate of 81.6%, which is 11th in the NHL. They’ve scored 48 goals, placing them 25th, while their solid defensive play has resulted in only 46 goals against, which ranks them 6th in the league.
Historical Matchup
Historically, the Blue Jackets have faced the Rangers 55 times, with a record of 24 wins, 24 losses, 1 tie, and 6 overtime losses. Their record at home against New York stands at 13-16-0-1. Columbus has been relatively balanced against the Rangers recently, with a record of 3 wins, 3 losses, and 2 overtime losses in their last 8 encounters, although they struggled against them last season, finishing with just 1 win compared to 2 losses and 2 overtime losses.
Key Players
Fans will be keen to watch key players from both teams. For the Rangers, Will Cuylle leads the squad in goals with 6, while defenseman Adam Fox contributes significantly with 12 assists. Artemi Panarin is the team’s point leader with 16 total points. Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin, with a record of 6-6-2, has a save percentage of .909 and comes off a victory against Tampa Bay on November 12. Conversely, for the Blue Jackets, Jonathan Quick, a Columbus legend, is holding a record of 3-1-0 and an impressive .950 save percentage, with his latest win coming on November 7 against Detroit. Among the Jackets, notable performers against the Rangers include Zach Werenski, who has tallied 18 points in 26 games against them, and Sean Monahan, who has accumulated 12 points in 17 matchups.
Injury Report
Currently, the Blue Jackets are navigating through injuries, with Erik Gudbranson on injured reserve and Boone Jenner missing recent games due to an upper body injury. Together, these injuries have resulted in a total of 22 man games lost this season.
How to Watch
Fans looking to catch the action tonight can tune into the FanDuel Sports Network, where Steve Mears will be calling the game, or listen to the radio broadcast on 93.3 The Bus, featuring Bob McElligott. Stay tuned for all the exciting developments regarding the Blue Jackets and keep an eye out for more stories, in-depth analysis, and breaking news regarding the team.
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