They need a win in the absolute worst way. Does that mean the Columbus Blue Jackets are going to be able to pull it off? Their Metro Division rival the Washington Capitals were able to help them out by beating the Montreal Canadiens.
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| NEW YORK RANGERS |
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31–36–13 (75 points) ROSTER / SCHEDULE |
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7 P.M. – FRIDAY, APRIL 5 MADISON SQUARE GARDEN NEW YORK, NEW YORK |
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FOX SPORTS OHIO FOX SPORTS GO |
To add even more intrigue, it looks like the Blue Jackets are going to be playing wunderkind prospect Alexandre Texier against the Rangers.
Texier has been dominating in the AHL but is he going to be good to go in the bright lights against the Rangers?
Tonight will mark the fourth meeting of the season between the Jackets and the Rangers. The Blue Jackets lead the series, 2–0–1, having taken the last game in Columbus, 7-5, on Jan. 13. All three previous meetings have been decided by two or fewer goals, with two of the games going past regulation.
A lot is riding on this game, and they are going to need their best.
Here's a look at tonight's projected lines for the Blue Jackets:
Forwards
Panarin–Duchene–Atkinson
Dzingel–Dubois–Anderson
Texier–Jenner–Bjorkstrand
Foligno–Dubinsky–Nash
Defenseman
Werenski–Jones
Nutivaara–Savard
Kukan–Harrington
Goaltender
Bobrovsky
Storylines
- It is going to be all Texier talk here. He is a point per game player in the AHL, and his potential is more than tantalizing. He has a chance to take the Blue Jackets by storm. Is he young enough and perhaps naive enough to just go out, play and succeed? That feels like a distinct possibility. Lightning in a bottle is the hope and wish.
- From the Blue Jacket pregame notes: "Each of the last seven meetings between the Rangers and Blue Jackets, as well as 13 of the last 14 meetings and 17 of the last 19 meetings between the two teams, have been decided by two or fewer goals." That means that we are going to be in for a tight one. Buckle up Blue Jacket fans.
- Who is going to be the hero tonight? The Blue Jackets haven't had a lot of noteworthy moments in their history, but it feels like every time they clinch in the playoffs it is memorable. They can do it on a huge stage in New York. It will be exciting to see who steps up.
