Rangers vs. Blue Jackets: Lineups, storylines trying to extend point streak
The New York Rangers try to do something they haven’t accomplished in more than two months, when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. That is to win two games in a row.
The Rangers (23-29-7) come off a 3-2 shootout win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, and haven’t won two straight games since Dec. 18-20. In 22 games since then, the Rangers are 5-14-3.
Since returning from the Olympic break, though, the Rangers earned three of four points, losing 3-2 in overtime to the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday before they rallied past the Penguins.
Those two games coincided with Igor Shesterkin’s return following a 13-game absence due to a lower-body injury. The Rangers lost 11 of 13 games without their No. 1 goalie, but he was solid his first two games back last week. The 30-year-old makes his third consecutive start Monday, and is 8-2-0 all-time against the Blue Jackets, with four shutouts, a 1.40 goals-against average and .949 save percentage.
Coach Mike Sullivan said “it’s comforting” having Shesterkin back between the pipes.
“I think he’s the best goalie in the game. Just his compete level. He’s an elite player … he has the ability to change the outcome of a game singlehandedly,” Sullivan offered.
This is the second meeting between the Rangers and Blue Jackets this season. J.T. Miller delivered the shootout winner in a 2-1 Rangers victory in Columbus on Nov. 15. New York’s taken nine of the past 12 head-to-head meetings against Columbus.
But these Blue Jackets are in the thick of the of playoff race; they begin the night five points behind the Boston Bruins for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. They got to this point by winning 11 of 12 games before the Olympic break, mostly after Rick Bowness replaced Dean Evason as coach.
The Blue Jackets did lose twice after the break, though, including 4-3 in overtime to the Islanders on Saturday.
3 storylines when Rangers host Blue Jackets
1. ‘Nothing etched in stone’
With Vincent Trocheck trade rumors running hot right now, four days before the NHL Trade Deadline, has it been suggested to Sullivan to sit the 32-year-old center for roster management purposes?
“Not to this point, no,” Sullivan answered after the morning skate.
So, Trocheck will play against the Blue Jackets after scoring the shootout winner Saturday against the Penguins.
But that doesn’t mean the trade rumors are without substance. Sullivan acknowledged as much, explaining that he and Trocheck have had discussions about the possibility and how to handle the situation.
“I don’t think it’s awkward, but we have a good relationship and I try to help him in any way I can, and help him navigate the way through the uncertainty,” Sullivan said. “Nothing is etched in stone … so my advice is to do your best, control what you can, stay in the moment.”
2. Why no Adam Edstrom yet?
Though he’s a full participant at practice, Adam Edstrom will miss his 33rd straight game following a lower-body injury. With the Rangers using this retool, in part, to see exactly what they have in their younger players, is there a reason why the towering 25-year-old forward, who was a fourth-line staple until getting hurt each of the past two seasons, isn’t in the lineup again?
Well, for one, he’s not yet cleared to play in a game. So, here’s Sullivan’s explanation.
“It’s more performance-based at this point,” Sullivan explained. “We’re trying to get him some team practices. You know, he hasn’t played in a long time. From a health standpoint, he’s been cleared to play. It’s more about his conditioning, getting his timing back, getting him in team settings, group settings, puck battles, things of that nature.”
Edstrom has four points (two goals, two assists) and is plus-5 in 24 games this season.
3. Zach attack
Sullivan coached Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski on Team USA for both the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics,, so he’s well aware of what a game-breaker and special talent the defenseman is. Containing the 28-year-old will be difficult, but crucial, for the Rangers on Monday.
Werenski leads the Blue Jackets with 65 points and is tied for first on the team with 20 goals. He’s one of three NHL defensemen, along with Jakob Chychrun of the Washington Capitals (22) and Islanders rookie sensation Matthew Schaefer (20), to have that many this season. Werenski is second among NHL defensemen in scoring, two points behind Evan Bouchard of the Edmonton Oilers.
He’s also second in the League, behind Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks (27:47), averaging 26:26 TOI. Werenski brings a nine-game point streak into this one; it’s the longest by a defenseman in Blue Jackets history.
New York Rangers projected lineup
J.T. Miller — Mika Zibanejad — Gabe Perreault
Will Cuylle — Vincent Trocheck — Alexis Lafreniere
Conor Sheary — Noah Laba — Conor Sheary
Brendan Briosson — Sam Carrick — Taylor Raddysh
Vladislav Gavrikov — Adam Fox
Braden Schneider — Will Borgen
Matthew Robertson — Vincent Iorio
Igor Shesterkin
Jonathan Quick
Rangers vs. Blue Jackets: When, where, what time, how to watch
Who: New York Rangers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
When: Monday, March 2 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Madison Square Garden
How to watch: MSG
