Columbus, OH -- A new dawn fades as the Blue Jackets ready themselves for the home opener of the 2014-15 season. Expectations are high, both among the team and the fan base. And yet the preparations are no different than they were for the season opener, although this game versus the New York Rangers is a sterner test.
"I think it's the same way every day," said forward Nick Foligno. "That's how we've always approached it and that's the mentality that you need to have. You worry about yourself. If you're doing the right things, it doesn't matter who you're playing against, you're going to give yourself the best chance to win."
Playing host to the Eastern Conference champions means taking on a Rangers team that knows the importance of winning. And yet, Columbus head coach Todd Richards is not concerned with any key matchups for this tilt. What concerns him though, is the Rangers speed.
"Speed," said Richards, "speed on the wings. They made some plays last year in New York where I remember they just ripped pucks cross-ice. They allowed their wingers to use their speed to chase pucks down. They obviously have skill."
"If we're sleeping and guys get behinds us, we're going to be chasing (the game)."
Once again, the key question is whether they will show the composure they displayed on Thursday in Buffalo. Can they make their line changes and adapt to a changing game without scrambling?
"We expect a better game than last game," said defenseman Jack Johnson. "They (NY Rangers) will want to come in and spoil our home opener. We expect a close game. We're excited, it's the home opener."
Expect the Blue Jackets to play a more cohesive game as the chemistry forms between the players. No one looks out of place, not even the rookies. Everyone within the room expects to contribute in some way, shape or form to get these two points against one of their divisional foes.
Blue Jackets lineup versus NY Rangers
Todd Richards is going with the same lineup he iced on Thursday in Buffalo.
The forwards:
Cam Atkinson/Ryan Johansen/Nick Foligno
Scott Hartnell/Artem Anisimov/Alex Wennberg
Matt Calvert/Mark Letestu/Marko Dano
Jared Boll/Michael Chaput/Jack Skille
The defense:
Jack Johnson/David Savard
Tim Erixon/James Wisniewski
Fedor Tyutin/Dalton Prout
In goal: Sergei Bobrovsky
Rangers Vigneault on the Blue Jackets
"They are in my estimation a very good young team," said Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault. "Their identity, when I think of Columbus, is they're a hard working group of players. They compete real hard. It's going to be a very good game against a very good team."
Foligno's keys to beating the Rangers
Foligno believes that they can beat any team in the league on any given night. Here's what he believes are the keys to beating the New York Rangers.
"It's going to be our skating, for sure," said Foligno. "They're a great skating team and we have to be able to skate and get in on the fore-check. If we can get out of our zone quick and get in on the fore-check, I think it will disrupt their play."
"That's when we're working at our best, getting down low in their end. Moving the puck and cycling. If we can do that against this team, we're going to give ourselves the best chance to win."
