Game #45: Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Rangers Open Thread

With their three game western road swing in the rear view mirror, the Blueshirts are back at Madison Square Garden with new life. Stops in Vegas, Colorado, and Utah netted the Rangers five out of a possible six points in the standings, and the 2-0-1 stretch improved the team to 4-0-2 in its last six games to breath New life and what appeared to be a lost 2024-25 campaign.

The Rangers back in the thick of a tight wild card race in the Eastern Conference, and the next four games against teams ahead of them in the standings will go a long way towards making or breaking their fate. The first of those four comes tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets, winners of six in a row and the current owners of the top wild card spot. Peter Laviolette has opted against any lineup changes following Thursday's come from behind victory in Utah, so it'll be the same group taking the ice for New York tonight.

Player to Watch: Sam Carrick

Spending the majority of the season as New York's fourth line center, Carrick's primary utility is his defensive prowess, both at even strength and on the penalty kill. For the past four games, it's been Carrick's offensive capabilities taking center stage. Carrick has recorded multiple points in consecutive games, and scored the overtime winner against New Jersey prior to the recent road trip to give him five points in his last four games. Keep an eye on Carrick tonight as the Rangers look to gain ground on one of their Metropolitan Division rivals.

Enjoy the game!