That wild card spot might not be enough for the Columbus Blue Jackets – an eight-game winning streak has them aiming higher. Tonight's an important one, still, as road back-to-backs aren't ever a walk in the park.
MATCHUP:
Columbus Blue Jackets at New York Rangers
Madison Square Garden, 7:00 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports Ohio
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
- While they're not entirely out of it just yet, it would take a miracle for the Rangers to make it to the playoffs. It hasn't been pretty for them this year, as even Henrik Lundqvist is putting up subpar numbers, with a 2.92 goals against average.
- Tonight marks the fourth matchup between these two teams, but it's been a while since the last one. The Jackets have a 2-1-0 record this year against the Rangers, but they haven't seen each other since mid-November.
- The Rangers look a bit different this time around, after making a blockbuster trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning at the deadline that brought over Vlad Namestnikov and some highly-touted prospects. On the way out: former captain Ryan McDonagh and star forward J.T. Miller.
TALE OF THE TAPE:
Rangers
32-32-8 (7th in Atlantic Division)
PP: 21.3% (10th) / PK: 82.6% (7th)
5v5 Corsi: 45.9% (31st)
BLUE JACKETS
40-28-5 (4th in Metropolitan Division)
PP: 15.4% (30th) / PK: 77.5% (24th)
5v5 Corsi: 51.6% (7th)
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