Game #14: Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Rangers Open Thread

The Blueshirts are back in action tonight for a Metropolitan Division matchup against the cellar dwelling Columbus Blue Jackets. Even in the early goings of the season, New York and Columbus already find themselves going in opposite directions. Since these two teams on October 14th, the second game of the season for both teams, Peter Laviolette’s have gone 9-1-1, and enter tonight’s game with a nine game point streak (8-0-1) on the line.

Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets have struggled to a 3-6-3 record since then, and are in the midst of a four game losing streak as they search for their first win since November 2nd. Columbus squared off with the Detroit Red Wings last night, a 5-4 victory in Detroit’s favor, and will be playing tonight’s contest on the tired legs that tend to come with the second half of a back to back set of games. The Rangers will need to take advantage of that and stack another two points with a win tonight.

Player to Watch: Artemiy Panarin

The former Blue Jackets superstar who left Columbus in free agency to sign with the Rangers in 2019, Panarin is off to a blistering start to the year. Panarin has raced out to an 8-14-22 stat line thus far, and has recorded at least one point in each of the Blueshirts’ first 13 games, including multi-point efforts in six out of the last seven. Panarin had a quiet night by his standards in the previous matchup with Columbus, a lone assist and a -2 rating, so keep an eye on Panarin to have a strong performance this time around.

Enjoy the game!