COLUMBUS — The Blue Jackets have had four days to think about their embarrassing loss to Florida. On Saturday, they'll have an opportunity to show they've grown from it.
Columbus (2-3-0) hosts the New York Rangers (6-3-0) at Nationwide Arena, looking to end a two-game losing streak after surrendering 12 goals in losses to St. Louis and Florida.
The Blue Jackets have allowed 21 goals through five games, an average of 4.2 per game that ranks among the worst in the NHL. Tuesday's 7-3 loss to the Panthers was ugly, with Brady Tkachuk scoring three consecutive goals in the second period while Columbus struggled to contain Florida's attack.
Head coach Rick Bowness hasn't hidden his frustration with the team's defensive performance. The Blue Jackets have struggled to maintain their coverage, and the coaching staff has had several days to work on those problems.
The Rangers present an interesting challenge.
New York has opened the season with six victories in nine games and boasts one of the NHL's better defensive records, allowing just 2.33 goals per game. The Rangers have also killed 26 of 28 opposing power plays, giving them a 92.9% penalty kill rate.
However, New York has struggled away from Madison Square Garden, posting a 1-3 road record. The Rangers are also looking to rebound from Thursday's 7-1 loss to New Jersey, so both clubs have something to prove.
For Columbus, the priority must be improving its defensive coverage. The Blue Jackets have enough offensive talent to compete, but allowing four or five goals nearly every night isn't going to win many games.
Game Information
| Matchup | New York Rangers at Columbus Blue Jackets |
| Puck Drop | Saturday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m. ET |
| Location | Nationwide Arena — Columbus, Ohio |
| Television | Blue Jackets Hockey Network |
| Streaming | Prime Video | Fubo |
| Radio | 97.1 The Fan / Blue Jackets Radio Network |
| Puck Line | Columbus -1.5 |
| Over/Under | 6.5 |
| Game Eats | DoorDash | Grubhub |
Saturday also begins another back-to-back for Columbus, which travels to Minnesota on Sunday before returning home Tuesday to face Toronto.
More importantly, Bowness needs to see his players respond to a disappointing stretch of hockey. Columbus has had several days of practice to correct its defensive mistakes, and the Rangers provide an opportunity to demonstrate whether that work has paid off.
Prediction
Both teams are coming off embarrassing losses, but I expect Columbus to be the more desperate team Saturday.
The Blue Jackets have had four days to work on their defensive problems, and Bowness has made it clear that the current level of play is unacceptable. I expect a much more disciplined effort, particularly in their own zone.
New York will be difficult to break down defensively, but its road struggles give Columbus an opportunity to take advantage. I believe the Blue Jackets respond with their best defensive performance of the season and get back to .500.
Blue Jackets 3, Rangers 2
