The Columbus Blue Jackets face the New York Rangers with both teams looking to improve in the Metropolitan Division to start the season. The Blue Jackets are 2-4 and are coming off a difficult 6-3 loss. The Rangers meanwhile have started the season 3-1-1 and look like one of the best teams in the NHL. Both teams are looking to improve in the Metropolitan Division and the Eastern Conference as the first month of the season is in full swing.
The Blue Jackets have struggled to start the season and hope the offense can step up, scoring only 2.80 goals per game. Johnny Gaudreau has scored four goals and two assists while Yegor Chinakhov, Justin Danforth, and Gustav Nyquist have added four goals and six assists to the top two lines but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only eight active skaters have found the back of the net this season and opposing defenses can limit the top-heavy offense as a result.
The offense has struggled but the defense has been one of the worst in the league, allowing 4.33 goals per game including nine goals in their last two games. Zach Werenski and Vladislav Gavrikov have led the top two lines but the rest of the unit has been awful, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. Furthermore, goaltender Daniil Tarasov has struggled in the net with a .890 save percentage and a 4.50 goals-against ave rage on only 82 shots.