The New York Rangers were looking to win their third straight game as they face the Columbus Blue Jackets. This didn’t happen as the Rangers lose 5-3 against the Blue Jackets. Here is how it happened.
The first period had four goals scored, two for each team. The first goal was scored at 1:29 by the Rangers when Artemi Panarin (12) made it 1-0. This goal was scored on a wrist shot over the goalie Joonas Korpisalo’s right pad. Assisting on the play was Adam Fox (40), the NHL’s leader in assists for defensemen. Also assisting was Ryan Lindgren (5).
At 4:44, Barclay Goodrow (9) made it 2-0 on a tip-in off his left skate on a pass from Braden Schneider (1) for Schneider’s first assist. Panarin (35) also assisted on the goal.
The Rangers lead didn’t last long. At 5:49, Gustav Nyquist (11) redirected the puck on Patrik Laine’s (10) pass through the crease. Boone Jenner (12) assisted on the play as well.
Columbus tied it 2-2 at 7:28 on a PPG by Jenner (17). Goodrow received a two-minute minor for tripping Jakub Voracek. Jenner scored on a tip-in from Zach Werenski’s (17) snap shot. Oliver Bjorkstand (16) also got an assist.
The Rangers had a total of eight shots on goal (SOG) to the Blue Jackets five. The Rangers had six blocked shots and the Blue Jackets had five. The Blue Jackets were a harder-hitting team with 11 hits to the Rangers six.
The Blue Jackets took control of the game from their first period momentum and haven’t let up at all. The Blue Jackets made it 3-2 on a redirection by Sean Kuraly (7) on a beautiful pass by Max Domi (10). Also assisting in the play was Werenski (18).
Image Courtesy of Aaron Doster/USA TODAY Sports from Rob Mixer via 1stohiobattery.com
Jenner (18) made it a two-goal lead at 12:27 after Fox turned over the puck on his attempted pass to Ryan Strome. Jenner scored short side on Alexandar Georgiev. Laine (11) assisted on the play.
The Blue Jackets had 11 SOG to the Rangers eight this period. The Rangers did block more shots and had more hits, so they were more physical, but it seemed like the Blue Jackets were always a step or two ahead of them on making plays with the puck.
The Blue Jackets were relentless and definitely were the better team. The Rangers looked tired, yet it was the Blue Jackets coming off a game on Wednesday night, which they lost 6-0 to the Calgary Flames. Did it get any better for the Rangers? After all, their third periods have been outstanding. Well, it did at first, but this didn’t last.
The Rangers were on the verge of making a come-back with a goal by Mika Zibanejad at 7:12 in the third period. Jake Bean took a holding penalty against Dryden Hunt, putting the Rangers on a PP. Zibanejad scored his 16th goal of the season, his 9th PPG on a slap shot.
The Rangers take the goalie out late in the period and end up on a PP when Kevin Rooney causes a minor penalty on Nyquist. Things looked like they could turn around for the Rangers, until the Blue Jackets end up getting an empty-net goal at 17:46 against a 5-on-3 for the Rangers. Kuraly (8) scored this goal and Werensky (19) got his third assist of the game. Jenner (13) also assisted on the play, earning two goals and two assists for the night.
The Rangers need to play better, although Korpisalo was amazing, making so many great saves to keep the Rangers at bay. They also hit three posts. If any of these shots go in, the game would have been pretty interesting.
The Rangers’ next game is against the Minnesota Wild. Will the Rangers bounce back from the loss against the Blue Jackets? Or will the Rangers fall asleep again, having to fight extra hard in the third for any chance? Watch the Wild take on the Rangers at 8 p.m. ET Friday night.
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