The Columbus Blue Jackets (24-46-8) host the New York Rangers (46-21-12) at Nationwide Arena on Saturday. New York is coming off a 3-2 overtime loss against the Blues on Thursday. The Rangers committed only one penalty in the game, holding St. Louis without a power play goal.
Vladimir Tarasenko and Vincent Trocheck each scored once for the Rangers. Tarasenko added an assist to lead the team in scoring. Jaroslav Halak only had 19 saves on 22 shots against (.863%) in the loss.Columbus fell 8-1 to the Devils on Thursday.
Joona Luoto was the only player to score for the Blue Jackets. Michael Hutchinson only had 19 saves on 24 shots (.791%) after starting in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Rangers have won two of the three games between the teams this season, including a 6-2 victory in their most recent meeting in March. Five players had two points for New York. Johnny Gaudreau led Columbus with two points (1G 1A). Igor Shesterkin got the win, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933%).
FACING OFF
New York is averaging 3.35 goals per game for the season, 10th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Blue Jackets team that is allowing 4.03 goals a game (31st).
Meanwhile, Columbus has found the net 2.63 times a game on average, 30th in the league, and won’t find goals any easier to come by against the Rangers’ stout defense, which is holding opponents to 2.67 goals per game (5th).
The Rangers’ 23.43% power play percentage ranks ninth in the league, while the Blue Jackets are 27th with a conversion rate of 17.92%. In terms of penalty killing, New York has the league’s 14th-ranked PK% at 80.28%, while Columbus is 23rd at 75.55%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad have been the top skaters for the Rangers this season with 89 and 87 points. Panarin is among the league leaders with his 63 assists (10th). In the net, Shesterkin (36-13-7) is New York’s top goaltender. He has a 2.53 GAA and a .914% save percentage.
Gaudreau leads the Blue Jackets in scoring with 71 points. He has 19 goals and 52 assists. Joonas Korpisalo (16-14-4) has the best goals against average for Columbus at 2.95. He has a save percentage of .913%. Elvis Merzlikins (7-18-2) has played the most games in net for the Blue Jackets this season. He has a 4.23 GAA and a .876% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is 23-9-8 away from Madison Square Garden this season. Columbus is 15-21-2 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
NY Rangers (-300)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
