The set-up: The NY Rangers opened the season just 3-7-2 but excellent special teams play keyed a six-game winning streak, as New York was 8-for-19 on the power play and 13-for-14 on the penalty in that stretch. However, the Rangers' winning streak ended with a thud Wednesday in Chicago, falling 6-3. The 9-8-2 Rangers will now try to earn a split of the two-game road trip when they visit the 11-7-1 Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night. The teams have already met twice, with the Blue Jackets posting a 3-1 win in Columbus on Oct. 13 and New York winning 5-3 at home on Nov. 6.

NY Rangers: When I noted that the team's win streak ended with a thud in Chicago, I wasn't exaggerating. New York allowed FIVE third-period goals in the 6-3 setback to the Blackhawks. "We got what we deserved," Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault said. "We didn't deserve to win and we didn't." In the streak-busting loss at Chicago, the score was tied at one entering the third period before the dam broke loose and Artem Anisimov's hat trick chased Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist. Lundqvist was disappointed with his performance but he won all six games during the winning streak before he was yanked and will make his eighth consecutive start. He has been a workhorse so far for the Rangers, starting 16 of 19 games. Defenseman Brendan Smith, acquired at the trade deadline last season and signed to a four-year, $17.4 million contract in June, will finally return to the lineup Friday after being a healthy scratch for six straight games. "Brendan's handled this as a pro, stayed focused, worked hard," Vigneault said. "He wasn't happy, there's no doubt."

Columbus: The Blue Jackets have halted a four-game skid with back-to-back 2-1 victories, with both games being decided beyond regulation. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky was responsible for making a spectacular highlight-reel save in each contest. "Right now, the Columbus Blue Jackets own the best save of the year in the highlights, and the second best save of the year," head coach John Tortorella said of the reigning Vezina Trophy winner. Bobrovsky has needed to be spectacular, because the Blue Jackets are struggling mightily to score goals. They have one goal in regulation in the past four games. They haven't scored on the power play in six games, going 0 of 15. Their power play is currently the worst in the NHL at 9.6 percent.

The pick: However, expect Bobrovsky to be tested here by New York's power play. Sure, it was 0-3 vs. Chicago but it had been outstanding in going 8 for 19 during the win streak. Zibanejad (team-leading 19 points) has 10 power-play points to rank fourth in the league. New York's Lundqvist has been a workhorse but his numbers are not great, as he's got a 3.04 GAA and .904 SP. Make the Over a 10* play.