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Rangers going for 4 in a row with a big game in Columbus

By Steve Paulus

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 19: Brendan Lemieux #48 of the New York Rangers skates against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden on January 19, 2020 in New York City. The Blue Jackets defeated the Rangers 2-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 19: Brendan Lemieux #48 of the New York Rangers skates against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden on January 19, 2020 in New York City. The Blue Jackets defeated the Rangers 2-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 19: Scott Harrington #4 and Matiss Kivlenieks #80 of the Columbus Blue Jackets defend against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on January 19, 2020 in New York City. The Blue Jackets defeated the Rangers 2-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 19: Scott Harrington #4 and Matiss Kivlenieks #80 of the Columbus Blue Jackets defend against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on January 19, 2020 in New York City. The Blue Jackets defeated the Rangers 2-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

About the Blue Jackets

The big story when it comes to the Blue Jackets is their injury list.  Here is the complete list:

Josh Anderson – Upper body:  no timetable for return
Cam Atkinson – Sprained ankle:  2-3 weeks
Seth Jones – Ankle injury:  8-10 weeks
Ryan Murray – Lower body: no timetable for return
Alexandre Texier – Lumbar stress fracture: out indefinitely
Alexander Wennberg – Upper body:  On IR with no timetable for return
Dean Kukan – Meniscus tear in knee: no timetable for return
Joonas Korpisalo – Torn meniscus:  4-6 weeks
Brandon Dubinsky – Wrist injury:  no timetable for return

Despite this slew of injuries the Blue Jackets have been able to get points.  In their last 29 games, dating back to December 9, they have gotten points in 26 games.  It’s been an amazing run as they have lost only three games in regulation, going  19-3-7.

With all of the injuries, the Blue Jackets have seen a drop in their scoring.  In their last nine games they have scored only 19 goals, a 2.11 goals per game average.  That said, they have only allowed 17 goals in that span.  John Tortorella has the Blue Jackets playing a tight defensive game, limiting shots and scoring opportunities.

The Blue Jackets don’t have a single player with over 20 goals.  Ranger killer Oliver Bjorkstrand leads the team with 18.  Pierre-Luc Dubois leads the team in scoring with 43 points.  Bjorkstrand has four goals and ten points in 12 career games against the Rangers.

Elvis Merzlikins has filled in admirably for the injured Korpisalo, with a goals against average of 2.19 and a .930 save percentage.  Since beating the Blueshirts in his NHL debut, back up Matiss Kivlenieks has lost two starts in overtime, but has allowed only seven goals in three starts.

The best player on the Blue Jackets is defenseman Zach Werenski.  He leads all NHL defensemen with 17 goals and has 34 points.  Based on his goal scoring, he has insinuated himself into the Norris Trophy conversation, but John Carlson still has 35 more points on the season.

The bottom line on Columbus is that they don’t score much, averaging 2.60 goals per game (27th), but they don’t allow much either, an average of 2.43 goals per game, second best in the NHL.  Special teams are similar as they are eighth best on the penalty kill, but 26th on the power play.

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