Game 3: Sweep the home-and-home with Columbus at the home opener

Back at it. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Rangers play their home opener tonight on the tail end of a home-and-home with Columbus. The Rangers stole one last night, with three goals in 1:17 late in the third period. The game was very physical, with lots of hits all around. Columbus dominated the possession game, but Henrik Lundqvist stood tall. The Metro Division will be a dog fight, especially with a healthy Columbus team.

Expect this game to be a lot like the one last night. That means physical play, some questionable hits, and a defensive effort on both sides. A 3-0 start would be superb, but it won’t come easy against this club.

What have they done lately?

Well, the Jackets gave up three goals in 1:17 last night. So yea, there’s that. They will remember that and not want it to happen again. It’s too early in the season to go through possession trends.

Jackets Systems

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.

Jackets Lines

Brandon Saad-Ryan Johansen-Nick Foligno
Boone Jenner-Brandon Dubinsky-Rene Bourque
Scott Hartnell-William Karlsson-Cam Atkinson
Matt Calvert-Gregory Campbell-Jared Boll

Ryan Murray-David Savard
Fedor Tyutin–Jack Johnson
Kevin Connauton-Dalton Prout

Sergei Bobrovky gets the start.

Rangers Lines

Rick Nash–Derick Brassard–Mats Zuccarello
Chris Kreider–Derek Stepan–Kevin Hayes
Viktor Stalberg–Oscar Lindberg–J.T. Miller
Dominic Moore–Jarret Stoll–Tanner Glass

Ryan McDonagh–Dan Girardi
Marc Staal–Dan Boyle
Keith Yandle–Kevin Klein

PP1: Zuccarello, Brassard, Nash, Yandle, Boyle
PP2: Miller, Hayes, Miller, Kreider, McDonagh

PK: Stepan, Nash, Fast, Moore, Lindberg, Girardi, McDonagh, Staal, Boyle, Klein

Henrik Lundqvist is in net.

Scratches/Injuries: Emerson Etem (healthy), Jesper Fast (banged up), Dylan McIlrath (healthy)

Crazy Prediction: Viktor Stalberg gets his first goal as a Ranger.

Be sure to check out our ticket link if you’re looking for tickets to the game. Game time is 7pm on MSG, but puck drop will be later because of opening night ceremonies. All GIFs will be on nyrgifs.com.