As the New York Rangers gear up to face the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena, it's the Blue Jackets who are eyeing a postseason berth. The Rangers, unfortunately, find themselves at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 28-32-8 record, and they're looking to rebound from a tough 6-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils.
The Rangers were thoroughly outmatched by the Devils, who outshot them 39-18 and dominated in every facet of the game. Coach Mike Sullivan didn't mince words, acknowledging the team's lackluster performance, noting, “We pushed in the third period, but it’s hard to win games when you only play a period.”
In contrast, the Blue Jackets have been on a tear since their coaching change on January 13, when GM Don Waddell brought in Rick Bowness. The team has responded with a 16-2-4 run, propelling them into the playoff conversation. Their recent 5-4 overtime win against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden showcased their resilience, as they withstood a late Rangers rally to secure the victory.
J.T. Miller, reflecting on the loss to the Devils, emphasized the need for a short memory and readiness for the next game. Despite Jonathan Quick's commendable 33-save performance, the Rangers struggled with turnovers and physicality.
Looking ahead, Igor Shesterkin is expected to be back in goal, bringing his impressive stats into play. Shesterkin's record against the Blue Jackets is stellar, and his performance will be crucial against one of the league's hottest teams.
The Rangers' penalty kill remains a concern, having allowed 11 power-play goals in recent games, dropping them to 25th in the league. Coach Sullivan pointed to a need for better execution and attention to detail.
As the season winds down, the Rangers face a strategic decision: focus on winning or use the opportunity to evaluate young talent and improve their draft position. With the team sitting 29th in the standings, a lower finish could increase their chances of drafting top prospects like Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg.
Projected Lineup:
- Forwards: Lafreniere, Zibanejad, Perreault; Miller, Trocheck, Cuylle; Kartye, Brodzinski, Sheary; Raddysh, Edstrom, Chmelar
- Defensemen: Gavrikov, Fox; Borgen, Schneider; Robertson, Iorio
- Goaltenders: Shesterkin, Quick
Catch the action as the Rangers take on the Blue Jackets on Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m. ET, available on MSG.