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Rangers vs. Blue Jackets: Kreider Shines, Rangers Shut Out Columbus

All the pieces finally fell into place as the Blueshirts took down the Blue Jackets.

After a devastating 5-1 loss to Calgary earlier in the week, the Rangers looked to bounce back and take a win at home before a west coast road trip and they did just that with a 4-0 shutout over the Columbus Blue Jackets. The power play looked better, they were winning face-offs at a higher rate, and most importantly the kids were scoring. Nils Lundkvist claimed his first NHL point while Adam Fox had his first multi-point game of the season.

1st Period

Ryan Strome (1) -  Artemiy Panarin (4) & Nils Lundkvist (1) - 12:29

Columbus took early control with five shots on goal in the first three minutes, but once the Rangers caught a spark, they held all the momentum and were frustratingly relentless with shots on goal. It finally paid off on a Panarin rush and Ryan Strome took it top shelf shot right down the middle.

Alexis Lafreniere (3) -  Adam Fox (5) - 15:30

The kids connected on a huge play here, that had even Lafreniere asking Fox how he was able to read that play and get the puck to him in the corner. After that, all it took was a soft chip in when Merzlikins was defenseless to up the score to 2-0.

2nd Period

No scoring

While they weren’t able to add onto their lead in this period, the Rangers shifted to playing very well defensively. They held Columbus to just seven shots on goal in the period and had success drawing penalties. This is where the Blue Jackets had the most opportunity but ultimately looked the most lackluster.

3rd Period

Chris Kreider (5)-  Artemiy Panarin (5) & Adam Fox (6) - 1:19

Starting both the second and third periods on the power play, they wasted no time in getting to the net early in the third. It didn’t take more than two minutes before Kreider tacked on his fifth goal of the season, and fourth on the power play.

The intensity turned up just a notch after Max Domi and Ryam Strome took a pair of roughing penalties after an altercation on the ice.

Chris Kreider (6)-  Adam Fox (7) & Artemiy Panarin (6) - 11:23

After some words with Merzlikins, Kreider put his money where his mouth is and went bardown on another power play goal, making him the current league leader in power play goals.

Time expired soon after that and everyone can finally let out the breath they were holding. A full 60-minute effort, smart power play moves, and the young guys getting the big bucks making their way onto the scoresheet. The Rangers hope to bring that same energy to Seattle when they get their first look at the Seattle Kraken on Sunday night ahead of a handful of Canadian road matchups.

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