A four-day break, including the All-Star festivities, came perfect for the Blue Jackets, who have only won five of their last 12 games after starting out 27-5-4. The struggles also started after their 16-game winning streak got halted by the Capitals earlier in the month.
Defensively, there is obviously some decline, as seven of their opponents this January were able to sneak in four or more goals in their matchup. Goalies Sergei Borbovsky and Joonas Korpisalo, who combined for 10 starts in those 12 contests, only had a save percentage of 89 percent.
The Blue Jackets last faced the Rangers just three weeks ago at home, where they fell, 5-4. It was an absolute heartbreaker, as they blew a 4-1 lead in the final 36 minutes of the game.
Playing as visitors this Tuesday, Columbus could have a tough time getting back a W, especially since they are coming in as losers in five of their previous road games.
That being said, though, despite the slump, they are still parading respectable numbers. The team is third in goals scored (160, tied with two teams), goals against (114), and save percentage (92.1).
Betting on the New York Rangers (31-17-1, 63 points)
What’s with the Rangers and three-game winning streaks? This past Wednesday, they, AGAIN, ended such a streak, marking it the sixth time it has happened to them this season. They bowed to the Flyers, 2-0, which was only the second time all year they got shut out.
Considering the way their previous matchup with the Blue Jackets turned out, however, wherein they fired away four-straight goals to steal a victory, the Rangers should have no shortage of confidence. They should be able to stitch together a new string of wins, and you can bet Michael Grabner is quite excited for this one as well, as he blasted Columbus for three big scores in the said meeting.
Also, thanks to owning a pretty balanced scoring attack, the Rangers are quite dangerous when they’re on. Along with Grabner (30), five other guys on the roster have 30 or more points on the year – Mats Zuccarello (38), Derek Stepan (37), J.T. Miller (35), Kevin Hayes (35), and Chris Kreider (34). Through that array of playmakers, the team is second in the NHL in goals (167).
