Game #59: New York Rangers vs Columbus Blue Jackets Open Thread

The Rangers have an opportunity to make history tonight in Columbus. Yesterday’s victory in Philadelphia was New York’s tenth in a row, tying a franchise record last achieved during the 1972-73 season, and only once prior in the Stanley Cup winning 1939-40 campaign. Peter Laviolette’s squad will be in for another Metropolitan Division battle tonight, and a game that appears to be as easy of a win as one can get in the NHL is likely to be anything but.

Tonight is the third of four games in the season series between the Rangers and Blue Jackets, with the fourth and final contest slated to be played on Wednesday. Although Columbus sits dead last in the division and Eastern Conference with an 18-28-10 record, the Blue Jackets have played the Blueshirts relatively tough when they’ve met thus far in 2023-24. Columbus handed the Rangers their first loss of the season, a 5-3 decision in Columbus, and held a late lead in the second game of the series before the Rangers tied it up late and eventually won in a shootout. Suffice to say, a franchise record 11th consecutive win will be tougher to come by than what one might expect.

Player to Watch: Artemiy Panarin

If the Blueshirts are going to win tonight, it’ll likely be thanks at least in part to their superstar winger. Panarin has been arguably the best free agent signing in franchise history since he left Columbus to join the Rangers in the summer of 2019, and will look to do his part against his former team. Keep an eye on Panarin as the Blueshirts look to make history tonight.

Enjoy the game!