Game #79 Preview/Gamethread: Rangers visit Blue Jackets
It's Fifth Line Appreciation Night!
Saturday, April 8, 2023 - 7:00 P.M. EST
Nationwide Arena - Columbus, Ohio
TV: Bally Sports Ohio; Radio: 97.1 FM
Opponent's Blog: Blueshirt Banter
New York Rangers (46-21-12, 104 points, 3rd Metro, 4th East)
at
Columbus Blue Jackets (24-46-8, 56 points, 8th Metro, 16th East)
All 32 NHL teams play today, with non-stop action from 12:30 EDT through midnight. LET'S GO
Player to Watch
David Jiricek
Columbus's top pick in last year's draft makes his triumphant return to the lineup tonight after a brief debut in late October. He's been killing it in Cleveland this year, with 38 points in 51 games. Remember, he just turned 19 in November.
Jackets Notes
Jiricek is joined by Marcus Bjork, Joona Luoto, and Trey Fix-Wolansky as emergency call-ups today. The Monsters had a big win over Laval last night to hold on to a playoff spot. Another big game against Belleville looms tonight, so losing these four players has to hurt. I'm curious what exactly the plan is here. It's important that the Monsters make the playoffs, though I get why these players will be excited to get more NHL reps (and an NHL paycheck).
The Other Bench
Deadline acquistion Patrick Kane has a hip injury, so is likely to miss the remainder of the regular season to rest up for the playoffs ... The Rangers trail the Devils by four points and the Hurricanes by five, so the Rangers are almost certain to be the road team for their first round series. You hate to see it.
Season Series
10/23/2022 CBJ 5 @ NYR 1
01/16/2023 NYR 3 @ CBJ 1
03/28/2023 CBJ 2 @ NYR 6
04/08/2023 NYR @ CBJ
Stats
| NY Rangers | Columbus | |
|---|---|---|
| 3.35 (10) | GPG | 2.63 (30) |
| 2.67 (5) | GAPG | 4.03 (31) |
| 23.9% (7) | PP% | 18.2% (26) |
| 80.7% (14) | PK% | 75.6% (23) |
| 49.8% (19) | 5v5 Shot Attempt % | 44.9% (29) |
| 50.2% (17) | 5v5 Unblocked shot attempt % | 44.5% (29) |
| 9.2 (7) | 5v5 Shooting % | 7.9 (25) |
| .921 (9) | 5v5 Save % | .901 (30) |
| Mika Zibanejad, 39 | G Leader | Boone Jenner, 26 |
| Artemi Panarin, 63 | A Leader | Johnny Gaudreau, 52 |
| Artemi Panarin, 89 | P Leader | Johnny Gaudreau, 71 |
| Jacob Trouba, 61 | PIM Leader | Mathieu Olivier, 81 |
| 23-9-8 | Home / Road | 15-21-2 |
| 6-2-2 | Last 10 | 3-6-1 |
Projected Lineups
Columbus Blue Jackets| Johnny Gaudreau | Boone Jenner | Kirill Marchenko |
| Kent Johnson | Jack Roslovic | Emil Bemstrom |
| Eric Robinson | Sean Kuraly | Liam Foudy |
| Trey Fix-Wolansky | Hunter McKown | Joona Luoto |
| Gavin Bayreuther | Andrew Peeke |
| Tim Berni | Adam Boqvist |
| Marcus Bjork | David Jiricek |
| Michael Hutchinson |
| Jon Gillies |
| Chris Kreider | Mika Zibanejad | Jimmy Vesey |
| Artemi Panarin | Vincent Trocheck | Vladimir Tarasenko |
| Alexis Lafreniere | Filip Chytil | Kaapo Kakko |
| Ben Harpur | Barclay Goodrow | Tyler Motte |
| K'Andre Miller | Jacob Trouba |
| Ryan Lindgren | Adam Fox |
| Niko Mikkola | Braden Schneider |
| Igor Shesterkin |
| Jaroslav Halak |