Game 2: Make it 2-0 to start the season against shorthanded Blue Jackets

Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images

The Rangers are in Columbus tonight to take on the Blue Jackets, who are without a lot of players. Nathan Horton, Brandon Dubinsky, and Boone Jenner are all on IR for the Jackets, and Ryan Johansen didn’t participate in camp or preseason. This is a depleted Blue Jackets squad that, regardless, should make the playoffs. Now is the time to get points against them.

Under Todd Richards, the Blue Jackets run a 2-1-2 forecheck, but with less active defensemen and a lot of dump and chase. In the DZ, CBJ uses a low zone collapse, taking out shooting lanes and protecting the house. On special teams, they run a 1-3-1 power play, and a box penalty kill.

Rangers lineup:

Carl Hagelin–Derick Brassard–Mats Zuccarello
Chris Kreider–Martin St. Louis–Rick Nash
Anthony Duclair–J.T. Miller–Lee Stempniak
Tanner Glass–Dominic Moore–Jesper Fast