New York Rangers Vs. Columbus Blue Jackets: Preview To One Of The Biggest Games Of The Year

Sports

New York Rangers Vs. Columbus Blue Jackets: Preview To One Of The Biggest Games Of The Year

Friday, March 21, 2014

Source: BlueJackets.NHL.com

Tonight's matchup between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the New York Rangers will likely determine which team will make the playoffs and which team will finish a few points shy, ending their hopes of making a run at the prestigious Stanley Cup. Here is how the Metropolitan Division and Wild Card standings currently appear:

1. Pittsburgh - 95 points - 69 games played

2. Philadelphia - 81 points - 69 games played

3. Columbus - 78 points - 69 games played
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Wild Card 1: Toronto - 80 points - 71 games played 

Wild Card 2: New York - 78 points - 70 games played 

The Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers both have 78 points, but the Rangers have played one more game. If Columbus wins this game tonight, the Rangers will fall 2 points behind with one more game played. That is tough to come back from. On the other hand, if the Rangers win, they will advance to third in the division, and the Blue Jackets will take over the last wild card position. 

Players To Watch Tonight:

Rangers:                                                                                                      Blue Jackets:             Rick Nash                                                                                                    Brandon Dubinsky 

Source: Rangers.NHL.com

Source: BlueJackets.NHL.com

                                                          

Both Rick Nash and Brandon Dubinsky will be playing against their previous teams. Despite Nash's 2 goals last game, he has only 3 points in the eight prior games. He has been getting chances and shots on goal, but has not produced until last game against the Senators. It should be interesting to see if he builds off of his game in Ottawa or goes back to previous habits. 

Dubinsky, who is having a much better season with the Blue Jackets this season, has 4 points in his past 5 games. Dubinsky is one of those players that will go down fighting until the very end, and he will display that hard working mentality tonight. 

Both teams have many divisional match ups after tonight's game, but this is the start of both teams' end of the regular season runs. The Columbus Blue Jackets have a significantly better record playing home games than away games. Meanwhile, the Rangers have a much better record playing away games. This should be a very close and exhilarating matchup until the final buzzer. 

NHL Trades on Tuesday

Sports

NHL Trades on Tuesday 

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Many transactions have gone through on Tuesday in the National Hockey League, including some pretty big names. However the big names rumored to be traded before the deadline tomorrow have yet to be moved. 

The Minnesota Wild have acquired goaltender Illya Bryzgalov from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a fourth round draft pick in the 2014 draft. The Wild, who have expressed interest in Martin Brodeur, have filled the position with a streaky net minder in Bryzgalov. Another, trade today occurred between the Anaheim Ducks and the Washington Capitals. The Washington Capitals have acquired Dustin Penner in exchange for a fourth round draft pick in the 2014 draft. This was easily the biggest bargain deal that occurred this season. The Capitals received a veteran winger that has two Stanley Cups on his résumé. Every team that is making a playoff run longs for the type of player Dustin Penner is during the post-season. 

The Anaheim Ducks had a busy day, as they acquired Stephane Robidas and traded their break-out goaltender Viktor Fasth. Stephane Robidas would be a great addition to a relatively young defensive squad, but he has been on the injury reserve since November 29th. Although the Ducks did not give up much more Robidas (a conditional 4th round pick in the 2014 draft), they cannot count on Robidas to be the difference maker for their playoff picture. Viktor Fasth has proved his ability to be a starting goaltender, but traveling to Edmonton with one of the best break out goaltenders this season, Ben Scrivens, starting may be tougher than it may seem.  

The Vancouver Canucks and the Florida Panthers made an unexpected deal. The Canucks traded goaltender Roberto Luongo and forward Steven Anthony in exchange for goaltender Jacob Markstrom and forward Shawn Matthias. This deal proved to be a way to relieve the Canucks of Luongo's relatively expensive and long contract. In addition, this proved that the Canucks have confidence in backup goaltender Eddie Lack, who for the most part has been successful behind Luongo. Although this deal may seem strategic, it is still a third string goalie and fourth line center in exchange for a top ten starting goaltender and a CHL player.