The Opponent:
It's time for the Blue Jackets to look back through time, to see and face off once again against themselves, as they were, by taking on the New York Rangers. This time the teams meet up over Penn Station, at Madison Square Garden, and this time the Rangers will have Rick Nash with them. However, they will not have Derick Brassard in the mix ("sore posterior"). And unlike the previous match up in Columbus, Henrik Lundqvist is getting the start in net for the Blueshirts. The Rangers are coming off a loss to the Nashville Predators, 4-1, in their last game, and are 4-5-1 in their last 10 games. Their leading scorer is Brad Richards, who leads all offensive categories with 24 points from 9 goals and 15 assists.
The Blue Jackets:
The Blue Jackets take MSG ice for the first time since February 19, 2012, when the Jackets lost in overtime, 3-2. The Jackets lost at home to the Rangers earlier this season, on November 7, 4-2. As a result, they are seeking their first win against the Blueshirts since a home win in December 2011, and their first win at MSG since February 2007. It will be the first time that Brandon Dubinsky, Arty Anisimov and Tim Erixon have returned to Manhattan since being traded to the Blue Jackets for Rick Nash in July of 2012. The Blue Jackets are led by Ryan Johansen, in the midst of a 5 game points streak, with 24 points and 10 goals. James Wisniewski is the assists leader with 16, but remains out with an upper body injury. After morning skate the lineups for the Blue Jackets are expected to be the same as the games earlier this week against the Penguins and Devils.
The Prediction:
The importance of this game cannot be overemphasized. It is a meeting with a divisional rival, so any points taken or surrendered carry added importance. With the Blue Jackets closing in on the 3rd place position, the last automatic playoff spot in the division, they can draw within one point of Carolina, who are currently in that position. But with the Rangers 2 points ahead of the Jackets, and one behind Carolina, they are just as eager to earn the points and deny them to the opposition. Expect a hard-fought battle, and one that should see limited scoring.
Blue Jackets win, 3-2
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