Columbus Blue Jackets (2–1–0) vs. New York Rangers (1–3–0)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2017, 7 p.m. (NATIONWIDE ARENA)
In a division that's as punishing as the Metropolitan, missteps are magnified. A slow start can get you buried. Only four games into their 2017-18 season, the New York Rangers are trying to climb out of an early hole before it's too late.
They've won just one of those four games and it was 2-0 shutout of the Montreal Canadiens last weekend; defense and goaltending have been problematic for the Rangers, who gave up eight goals to the Toronto Maple Leafs last week after giving up four to the Colorado Avalanche in their home opener at Madison Square Garden.
Friday's game at Nationwide Arena is the first of a back-to-back for both the Blue Jackets and Rangers — Columbus visits Minnesota tomorrow night in St. Paul, while the Rangers return home to face the New Jersey Devils.
Sergei Bobrovsky and Henrik Lundqvist are the expected starters in goal.
You Oughta Know: Mika Zibanejad
The Rangers' early struggles have overshadowed a ridiculous start for Zibanejad, who has been thrust into the No. 1 center role after the departure of Derek Stepan. Zibanejad has scored a goal in each of the Rangers' first four games (five total), and is the first Rangers player since Rick Nash in 2014-15 to do so.
Five Fast Facts
- Both teams' leading scorers (Milano and Zibanejad) have yet to record an assist this season: 5-0-5 so far for Zibanejad, 4-0-4 for Milano.
- The Rangers have scored a power play goal in each game so far, operating at 31.3%.
- Conversely, the Blue Jackets have but one power play goal (Zach Werenski), scored in the season opener.
- New York claimed former Blue Jackets forward Adam Cracknell off waivers from Dallas earlier this week.
- Nick Foligno leads the Blue Jackets in face-off percentage at 58.1%.
Previous Matchups
THIS YEAR: First meeting (of four)
LAST MEETING: Feb. 26, 2017 (Blue Jackets win, 5-2)
Keys to the Game
ONE: Play your game. The Rangers thrive on the counterattack and want you to turn pucks over. If the Blue Jackets can deny their speed through the neutral zone and keep the puck below the goal line, they'll have a chance to stay on their game. When they open things up and get into trading chances with the Rangers, they're playing into the opponent's strength.
TWO: Capitalize. The Blue Jackets' power play has scored only one goal in three games this season, and sooner than later, they're going to need this group to do produce.
THREE: Top Guns. Wennberg, Panarin and Atkinson are due for a big game. Against a Rangers team that doesn't defend air-tight and tends to give you a little more room, the Blue Jackets' No. 1 line should have space to make plays. They need to take advantage.
Team Projected Lineup
| # | Player | Stats | # | Player | Stats | # | Player | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | Chris Kreider | 4 GP, 0-3-3 | 93 | Mika Zibanejad | 4 GP, 5-0-5 | 89 | Pavel Buchnevich | 4 GP, 0-3-3 |
| 61 | Rick Nash | 4 GP, 0-0-0 | 13 | Kevin Hayes | 4 GP, 0-1-1 | 36 | Mats Zuccarello | 4 GP, 1-4-5 |
| 26 | Jimmy Vesey | 4 GP, 0-0-0 | 51 | David Desharnais | 4 GP, 0-0-0 | 10 | JT Miller | 4 GP, 1-2-3 |
| 40 | Michael Grabner | 4 GP, 0-1-1 | 28 | Paul Carey | 4 GP, 0-0-0 | 25 | Adam Cracknell | 1 GP, 0-0-0 |
| # | Player | Stats | # | Player | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | Ryan McDonagh | 4 GP, 0-1-1 | 55 | Nick Holden | 2 GP, 0-0-0 |
| 18 | Marc Staal | 4 GP, 1-1-2 | 22 | Kevin Shattenkirk | 4 GP, 1-3-4 |
| 76 | Brady Skjei | 4 GP, 1-0-1 | 42 | Brendan Smith | 2 GP, 0-0-0 |
| # | Player | GS | W-L-OL | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Henrik Lundqvist | 4 | 1-2-0 | 3.06 | .898 | 1 |
| 31 | Ondrej Pavelec | 0 | 0-1-0 | 4.62 | .875 | 0 |
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