It hasn't been the greatest start for the New York Rangers as they've won just once in their first four games. The team underwent significant changes and entered the season with a different look but similar expectations; a win tonight against a divisional foe would go a long way toward getting them back on track.
The Blue Jackets are coming off an overtime win in Carolina on Tuesday, where The Sonny Milano Show took over, scoring two goals to secure both points after yielding a late tying goal.
Tonight's game features two teams going in two different directions. Puck drop is 7 p.m. at Nationwide Arena (FOX Sports Ohio, FS GO).
Blue Jackets Projected Lineup
| # | Player | Stats | # | Player | Stats | # | Player | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Artemi Panarin | 3 GP, 0-3-3 | 10 | Alexander Wennberg | 3 GP, 0-2-2 | 13 | Cam Atkinson | 3 GP, 1-0-1 |
| 22 | Sonny Milano | 3 GP, 4-0-4 | 71 | Nick Foligno | 3 GP, 0-3-3 | 28 | Oliver Bjorkstrand | 3 GP, 0-2-2 |
| 11 | Matt Calvert | 3 GP, 0-0-0 | 17 | Brandon Dubinsky | 3 GP, 0-0-0 | 77 | Josh Anderson | 1 GP, 0-0-0 |
| 18 | Pierre-Luc Dubois | 3 GP, 1-0-1 | 45 | Lukas Sedlak | 3 GP, 0-0-0 | 36 | Zac Dalpe | 2 GP, 0-0-0 |
| # | Player | Stats | # | Player | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Zach Werenski | 3 GP, 1-0-1 | 3 | Seth Jones | 3 GP, 0-1-1 |
| 7 | Jack Johnson | 3 GP, 0-0-0 | 58 | David Savard | 3 GP, 0-0-0 |
| 27 | Ryan Murray | 3 GP, 1-0-1 | 53 | Gabriel Carlsson | 3 GP, 0-1-1 |
| # | Player | GS | W-L-OL | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72 | Sergei Bobrovsky | 2 | 2-0-0 | 0.48 | .985 | 1 |
| 70 | Joonas Korpisalo | 1 | 0-1-0 | 5.00 | .828 | 0 |
John Tortorella Pre-Game
Four Storylines
- Whose Fourth Line Is It Anyway? The Rangers just picked up Adam Cracknell on waivers and it appears that he will play tonight against one of his former teams, the Blue Jackets. The Rangers' fourth line is a problem for them early as their depth is becoming exposed; Paul Carey, a 29-year-old journeyman, is centering the fourth line and he's now joined by Cracknell along with the speedy Michael Grabner.
- Return of the Nash: No matter who you talk to in this town, the mention of former Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash will always elicit an opinion. From shoving Sergei Bobrovsky to dropping the gloves with Matt Calvert, Nash has made himself into a public enemy over the last few years. It's always compelling when Nash returns to his old stomping grounds at Nationwide Arena.
- Mika, Mika: If you think Sonny Milano has started hot, Mika Zibanejad would like a word. He has five goals in four games and has given the Rangers some life when their offense has struggled. Their first power play unit is deadly and Zibanejad has been a big part of it. Watch him take the tough defensive assignments for the Rangers since the team doesn't have much strength down the middle.
- Top Shelf: Milano has been the story of the Blue Jackets' season thus far, and is starting to get some attention around the league. But while he's been a pleasant surprise for Columbus, he's been on an island when it comes to scoring. If he can't keep up this pace, who is helping him pitch in on offense? The Blue Jackets need their top players to break out of mini-slumps early on, and tonight's a good opportunity to do so.
