Blue Jackets at Rangers
The Columbus Blue Jackets are storming toward a postseason berth and look to continue their surge when they visit the New York Rangers on Tuesday. Columbus is even in points with Philadelphia for third place in the Metropolitan Division and sits in the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference after posting its eighth consecutive victory on Monday, a 5-4 overtime triumph in Boston.
Cam Atkinson scored 2:55 into the extra session, giving him four goals over his last three games and points in nine of his last 12 contests. New York is looking to post its third straight home victory and extend its overall point streak, which reached four games (2-0-2) with Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss in St. Louis. Prior to the setback, the Rangers topped Carolina and Pittsburgh at Madison Square Garden last week, with the triumph over the Penguins coming in overtime. Mika Zibanejad has recorded back-to-back two-goal performances to raise his active team-leading - and career-high - total to 24 tallies while giving him five goals and three assists during his four-game point streak.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Columbus), MSG (New York)
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (40-28-5): Boone Jenner has scored in four straight contests and is riding a six-game point streak during which he has collected five goals and three assists. Nick Foligno notched a pair of assists against the Bruins, drawing him within two points of 400 for his career. The 30-year-old captain has recorded four points in as many games after registering just one over his previous eight contests.
ABOUT THE RANGERS (32-32-8): Mats Zuccarello also scored against the Blues, increasing his team-high point total to 49. The 30-year-old Norwegian has followed a five-game point drought by collecting five goals and an assist over his last seven contests. Chris Kreider has been wielding a hot stick for New York, registering a goal and five assists in his last two games.
OVERTIME
1. Zibanejad is slated to appear in his 400th NHL game on Tuesday.
2. Columbus LW Thomas Vanek has recorded three goals and four assists over his last six contests.
3. New York C Kevin Hayes is two assists shy of 100 for his career.