Rangers at the Columbus Blue Jackets.
This is one of those game where I feel it will be hard to predict what can happen. The Rangers struggled defensively against the Ottawa Senators in the their last two games, and have had a couple of days off since their last game. However, there are some points of praise to be noticed on the Rangers bench. Derek Stepan is really coming into his own as a home grown Ranger scorer. Its awesome to watch this kid grow before our very eyes as a player who can potentially become a big scoring threat in his later years of his career. Also, Michael Sauer is really proving to us that he deserves to be in the lineup. I didn't like it much when Sauer was called up, but with his +8 record, he is starting to grow on me.
The Blue Jackets are coming off a 4-1 loss against the St. Louis Blues, and are looking to gain some more momentum so that they can climb back up the crowded Western Conference. A win for them tonight would bring them from 12th in their conference, to 6th in their conference. And judging by the urgency of their standing situation, there going to be hungry tonight. Expect them to be quick on the puck, and looking to get it to their star players in Rick Nash and Antoine Vermette. The Blue Jackets are not a bad team, but an inconsistent one. Therefore, who knows what could happen tonight?
My Diagnosis
This is one of the hardest games to call since starting this blog. The Rangers and Blue Jackets are almost identical teams, and can both be dangerous when given an opportunity. But if I were a betting man, I would have to take the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight in a close one.
My Predictions
Blue Jackets win 5-4 in the shootout.
Sean Avery will get a goal tonight to break open the scoring.
Jakub Voracek will quickly follow up on Avery's goal and tie it early in the 1st.
Antoine Vermette will give the Jackets the lead with five minutes remaining in the 1st.
Marian Gaborik will tie it up half way through the 2nd period.
Jakub Voracek will get on the board once again to give the Jackets a late goal in the 2nd period.
Brandon Dubinsky will bring the Rangers even again at the start of the 3rd period.
Brian Boyle will give the Rangers a lead in the 3rd.
And finally, Rick Nash will pull the teams even at 4 a piece to head into overtime, where no one will score.
I am not sure of the shootout order for either team, so I don't believe I should predict who will win it. And if my predictions are wrong tonight, I will be totally cool with that. Enjoy the game!
No comments:
Post a Comment