New York Rangers at Carolina Hurricanes (110, 5.5)

Are the Rangers starting to turn a corner? After going 7-15-3 over a 25-game stretch, the Blueshirts have put together back-to-back wins.

Coach John Tortorella is getting the credit for the recent surge after benching defenseman Wade Redden and demoting Chris Drury to the fourth line following a 2-1 loss to the Islanders.

Drury got the message loud and clear. The team captain registered a goal in each of the last two games despite playing minimal minutes with the checking line.

Don’t go crazy buying the Rangers just yet. The club has been outshot 102-72 in its last three games. Goalie Henrik Lunqvist has had to bail out his teammates consistently this season.

Expect a higher scoring game Monday against the ‘Canes.

Pick: Over

Columbus Blue Jackets at Phoenix Coyotes (-155, 5.5)

Hockey fans in Columbus haven’t had much to cheer about this season. The Blue Jackets are at the bottom of the Western Conference standings and have just two wins over their last 16 games.

Goalie Steve Mason is going through a sophomore slump and his teammates aren’t giving him much goal support. Columbus has just eight goals over its last five games.

Fans are crying for change even though this team made the playoffs just last season. Whispers are swirling about coach Ken Hitchcock getting the axe, Rick Nash being stripped of the captaincy and maybe even a major trade.

None of those changes will happen before Monday’s game against the Coyotes, but Mason will sit in favor of backup Mathieu Garon. That should be enough for the Jackets to snap their losing streak.

Pick: Blue Jackets