Saturday, Febuary 8, 2025 – 7:00 PM EST
Nationwide Arena – Columbus, OH
TV: FDSNOH; Radio: 97.1 FM
New York Rangers (26-24-4, 56 points, 6th Metro, 12th East)
at
Columbus Blue Jackets (26-21-8, 60 points, 4th Metro, 9th East)
Tonight is the last Blue Jackets game for two weeks, so enjoy it!
Player to Watch
J.T. Miller
East Palestine, Ohio native Jiller Tiller Miller found himself in a public feud with Elias Pettersson in Vancouver, and thus the Canucks were forced to trade him. Luckily the interested party was the Rangers, who had drafted Miller back in the 2011 first round, and where Miller played for the first 6 years of his pro career.
He arrived with a bang, with two goals against Boston in his return. That was followed up with a two assist game against Vegas, but he has been kept off the scoresheet in the last two games.
Jackets Notes
Zach Werenski is the only Blue Jacket participating in the 4 Nations Face-Off, so the rest of the team can feel free to empty the tanks tonight before hitting the beach to rest and recuperate … I’m predicting another 11/7 lineup tonight. I don’t like it, but Dean Evason seems to … Some good news on the injury front, as Jeff Svoboda spotted Yegor Chinakhov participating in the optional morning skate today. If he and Boone Jenner can return to the lineup after the break, that will be a huge shot in the arm.
The Other Bench
The Rangers have six players competing in the 4 Nations, including 4 players from Team USA: Miller, Chris Kreider, Adam Fox, and Vincent Trocheck. Mika Zibanejad will represent Sweden, and Urho Vaakanainen will represent Finland … The Rangers lost last night at home against Pittsburgh. The Rangers allowed 0 shots on goal in the third period, while trailing 3-2, but only generated 7 shots themselves that period. Igor Shesterkin started in goal, so I predict we’ll see former Blue Jacket Jonathan Quick between the pipes tonight.
Season Series
01/18/2025 CBJ 0 @ NYR 1
02/08/2025 NYR @ CBJ
03/09/2025 CBJ @ NYR
03/15/2025 NYR @ CBJ
Stats
| NY Rangers | Columbus | |
| 2.96 (14) | GPG | 3.22 (8) |
| 3.06 (20) | GAPG | 3.29 (25) |
| 20.6 (19) | PP% | 21.1 (17) |
| 82.2 (7) | PK% | 75.3 (26) |
| 48.8 (21) | 5v5 Shot Attempt % | 47.6 (28) |
| 48.8 (21) | 5v5 Unblocked Shot Attempt % | 48.1 (23) |
| 9.0 (11) | 5v5 Shooting % | 9.9 (3) |
| 91.3 (17) | 5v5 Save % | 90.6 (22) |
| Artemi Panarin, 23 | G Leader | Kirill Marchenko, 21 |
| Adam Fox, 39 | A Leader | Zach Werenski, 41 |
| Artemi Panarin, 57 | P Leader | Zach Werenski, 58 |
| S. Carrick, M. Rempe, 39 | PIM Leader | Mathieu Olivier, 99 |
| 12-12-2 | Home/Road | 17-5-4 |
| 5-4-1 | Last 10 | 4-4-2 |
Projected Lineups
Columbus Blue Jackets
| Dmitri Voronkov | Adam Fantilli | Kent Johnson |
| James van Riemsdyk | Luca Del Bel Belluz | Cole Sillinger |
| Zach Aston-Reese | Justin Danforth | Mathieu Olivier |
| Mikael Pyyhtia | Sean Kuraly |
| Zach Werenski | Ivan Provorov |
| Denton Mateychuk | Damon Severson |
| Jake Christiansen | Jordan Harris |
| Jack Johnson |
| Elvis Merzlikins |
| Daniil Tarasov |
New York Rangers
| Artemi Panarin | J.T. Miller | Mika Zibanejad |
| Reilly Smith | Vincent Trocheck | Alexis Lafrieniere |
| Chris Kreider | Jonny Brodzinski | Will Cuylle |
| Jimmy Vesey | Sam Carrick | Matt Rempe |
| Ryan Lindgren | Adam Fox |
| K’Andre Miller | Will Borgen |
| Zac Jones | Braden Schneider |
| Jonathan Quick |
| Igor Shesterkin |