The New York Rangers are set to face the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The puck drops at 7:00 PM EST, and the game will be broadcast on MSG, FDSOH, and ESPN+.
Team Form and Standings
- New York Rangers: The Rangers hold a 32-28-6 record, placing them in a tie with the Blue Jackets for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. They are coming off a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory against the Minnesota Wild, where Artemi Panarin scored the game-winner. The Rangers have been inconsistent lately, going 5-3-2 in their last 10 games, but their ability to grind out close games has kept them in the playoff hunt.
- Columbus Blue Jackets: The Blue Jackets, with a 31-26-8 record, are also vying for the final wild card spot. However, they have struggled recently, losing four of their last five games, including a 4-0 defeat to the Vegas Golden Knights. Columbus has been outscored 9-2 in the first period during this stretch, highlighting their slow starts. Despite this, the Blue Jackets have been competitive at home, with a 13-15-1 record.
Key Players to Watch
- New York Rangers:
- Artemi Panarin: The former Blue Jacket leads the Rangers with 28 goals and 69 points this season. His playmaking and scoring ability make him a constant threat.
- Adam Fox: Fox has been a key contributor from the blue line, tallying 43 assists and providing stability on defense.
- Igor Shesterkin: The Rangers’ goaltender has a 22-22-4 record with a .906 save percentage. His ability to make clutch saves will be crucial in this matchup.
- Columbus Blue Jackets:
- Adam Fantilli: The rookie center has been a revelation, contributing 19 goals and 31 assists in his debut season. Fantilli scored a hat trick in the last meeting between these teams.
- Zach Werenski: The defenseman leads the Blue Jackets with 20 goals and 49 assists, showcasing his offensive prowess from the blue line.
- Daniil Tarasov: Tarasov has been solid against the Rangers in his career, with a 2-0-1 record and a .956 save percentage.
Matchup Insights
- This is the fourth and final meeting between these teams this season. The Blue Jackets won the most recent matchup 7-3, with Adam Fantilli leading the way with three goals.
- The Rangers have a 26-9-4 record in games where they score three or more goals, emphasizing the importance of their offense clicking early.
- Columbus has struggled on special teams recently, going 0-for-3 on the power play in their last game and allowing seven power-play goals in their last five outings. The Rangers’ power play, led by Panarin and Fox, could exploit this weakness.
Injuries and Lineups
- New York Rangers: The Rangers are relatively healthy, with no major injuries reported. Igor Shesterkin is expected to start in goal.
- Columbus Blue Jackets: The Blue Jackets will be without Elvis Merzļikins (personal reasons) and Jake Christiansen (injured). Daniil Tarasov is expected to start in net.
