Game #81 Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets look to bounce back against New York Rangers

Columbus Blue Jackets at New York Rangers
Friday, April 5, 2019 – 7:00 EST
Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
TV: Fox Sports Ohio – Radio: WBNS FM
Opponent’s Blog: Blueshirt Banter

Columbus Blue Jackets, 45-31-4, 94 points, 5th Metro, 8th East
@
New York Rangers, 31-36-13, 75 points, 7th Metro, 12th East

Tuesday night was a burn the tapes type of loss. After a five game winning streak that gave the Blue Jackets control of their own destiny, the Jackets came home and laid their third egg on national TV this season as they were blown out Boston Bruins in the home ice finale to the tune of 6-2.

With the season on the line, the Jackets have made two call-ups: Adam Clendening returns to the Jackets, and Alexandre Texier appears set to make his Blue Jackets debut tonight.

Only 11 French-born players have ever dressed in an #NHL game. My sense is Texier, of Grenoble, is going to make it 12 on Friday.

He’ll wear sweater No. 42.

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) April 4, 2019

Told Alexandre Texier will dress for the Blue Jackets on Friday vs. #NYR. #CBJ

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) April 4, 2019

With the Jackets’ backs again to the wall, can the team find a response after their latest home loss? We’ll find out tonight.

The Playoff Race

The bad news: the Carolina Hurricanes won last night, clinching their first playoff spot in ten seasons last night as they defeated the New Jersey Devils 3-1.

The good news: the Montreal Canadiens lost to the Washington Capitals 2-1 last night, putting their playoff hopes in dire straights.

Two points gets the Columbus Blue Jackets into the playoffs now, no matter what the Canadiens do the rest of the way. If the Jackets can find some way to get past the Rangers tonight – regulation, shootout, ugly, pretty, it literally does not matter how – the Jackets are in the playoffs and are just fighting for seeding on Saturday night.

Get it done.

Player to Watch

Alexandar Georgiev

Alexandar Georgiev has played 31 games for the Rangers this season, and has played better than veteran Henrik Lundqvist by the numbers. Georgiev has posted a .912 SV% and a 2.95 GAA, both better numbers than Lundqvist has this season. Georgiev, a 23 year old Bulgarian, may be the Rangers netminder of the future.

Jackets Notes

The Jackets have taken a point in all three games against the Rangers this season … Cam Atkinson remains one goal away from breaking Rick Nash’s single season record of 41, with whom he is current;y tied … Boone Jenner needs to earn one point in the next two games for his 200th career point .. The Blue Jackets have set a franchise record for goals in a single season 248 scored thus far this season

The Other Bench

Henrik Lundqvist’s streak of 20 win seasons will come to an end, as he is not expected to play tonight and is sitting on 18 wins for the season … Mika Zibanejad has set career highs in goals, assists, and points this season … Zibanejad is the first ranger to score 70 points in a season since Marian Gaborik in 2011-12

Expect #CBJ president of hockey operations John Davidson to be a strong candidate to replace Glen Sather, who is stepping down as president of the #NYR.
The great @NYP_Brooksie, who first broke the story of Sather stepping down, has mentioned Davidson as a candidate. @staytuned

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) April 4, 2019

Season Series

11/10/2018 NYR 5 @ CBJ 4 (SO)
12/27/2018 CBJ 4 @ NYR 3 (OT)
01/13/2019 NYR 5 @ CBJ 7
04/05/2019 CBJ @ NYR

Stats

Projected Lineups