Rangers vs. Blue Jackets: Rangers Top Jackets, Remain Undefeated in Shootout
Coming off of a disappointing overtime loss just 24 hours prior, the New York Rangers rebounded this evening with a 5-4 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets. It took extra time yet again but the Rangers were able to remain undefeated in the shootout, and moved within a point of first place in the Metropolitan Division. Here is tonight’s goal breakdown.
1-0 Rangers
Mika Zibanejad (7) - Assists: Pavel Buchnevich (4) & Vladislav Namestnikov (5)
The Rangers started this game off pretty quickly with a goal coming from Mika Zibanejad. Pavel Buchnevich created the entire goal with a great individual effort to make a move around the defender, and fed the puck over to Zibanejad for the easy tap-in.
1-1 Tie
Cam Atkinson (7) - Assists: Pierre-Luc Dubios (5) & Seth Jones
The Rangers were able to keep their one-goal lead for a majority of the first period, until the Blue Jackets finally answered back on the power play. Much like the Rangers first goal, Pierre-Luc Dubios made an unreal pass across the ice to Cam Atkinson on the backdoor, and evened up the game for the Blue Jackets.
2-1 Rangers
Pavel Buchnevich (5) - Assists: Jimmy Vesey (3)
Pavel Buchnevich kept his hot start going in this game, and immediately put the Rangers back on top early in the second period. Jimmy Vesey was able to sell Jonas Korpisalo enough on the shot, and quickly fed the puck over to Buchnevich who was streaking into the high slot. The pass was a in Buchnevich’s feed, but he was able to shovel the puck on net and gave the Rangers their second lead of the night.
3-1 Rangers
Chris Kreider (8) - Assists: Kevin Hayes (7) & Tony DeAngelo (5)
Nearly two minutes later, the Rangers put another goal up on the board and it came off of a stupidly good looking passing play. It all started with Tony DeAngelo who cycled around the Blue Jackets net, and put a pass towards Kevin Hayes. The puck was barely on Hayes’ tape for more than a second before he found Chris Kreider posted up on the back door. Jonas Koripsalo didn’t stand any chance, and the Rangers doubled up their lead.
3-2 Rangers
Pierre-Luc Dubois (7) - Assists: Seth Jones (5) & Artemi Panarin (13)
This was the first of a three-goal surge for the Blue Jackets and it came courtesy of Pierre-Luc Dubois. Seth Jones was able to place a hard, low slap shot on net and just before it reached Alexandar Georgiev, Dubois deflected the puck over the pad.
3-3 Tie
Nick Foligno (6) - Assists: Boone Jenner (4) & Markus Nutivaara (7)
The Blue Jackets continued their dominance from the following shift and found the tying goal just 32 seconds later with a goal by Nick Foligno. In a game filled with pretty passes, this was yet another added to the list with Boone Jenner setting up Nick Foligno on the far side of the net. The Blue Jackets were able to quickly eliminate the Rangers two-goal lead, and made this a game.
4-3 Blue Jackets
Alexander Wennberg (1) - Assists: Seth Jones (6)
The Blue Jackets officially completed their comeback late in the second period as Alexander Wennberg scored while shorthanded. Seth Jones picked off an intended stretch pass by Neal Pionk, and broke it on a 2-on-1 with Wennberg. Jones quickly dished a pass over to Wennberg who was all alone in front, and he snapped the puck past Georgiev.
4-4 Tie
Jimmy Vesey (6) - Assist: Kevin Hayes (8) & Kevin Shattenkirk (4)
The Rangers finally stopped the bleeding with less than a minute remaining in the period with Jimmy Vesey picking up his sixth of the season. Kevin Hayes created the entire goal with a spin pass from behind the net, and after taking several deflections, Vesey tapped the puck in at the top of the crease to tie the game.
Shootout
For the fourth time this season, the Rangers needed the shootout to salvage the second point, and they kept their win streak alive in extra time. Mika Zibanejad and Kevin Shattenkirk each scored for the Rangers while Cam Atkinson and Pierre-Luc Dubois kept it even for the Jackets. After two rounds of saves, Jimmy Vesey came up for the Rangers and ended the game with a wrist shot off of Korpisalo’s glove.
Following the back-to-back series this weekend, the Rangers will be back in action on Monday night as they welcome the Vancouver Canucks to Madison Square Garden.
