Recap: Rangers Embarrassed at Home in 7-3 Loss to Columbus, Putting Playoff Hopes in Jeopardy

Coming off arguably the most disappointing loss of the season which is truly saying something given how abysmal this year has been for the New York Rangers; they had a chance at redemption in yet another important game in regards to the playoff standings. Just like they have with every opportunity they’ve had this season to turn things around, the Rangers fell flat on their faces with another pitiful performance against yet another team that has proven to be more deserving of a playoff spot than the Rangers. 

1st Period: 

I’ll be the first one to say this, I’m pretty critical of the Rangers continuing to dress Jonny Brodzinski over the likes of Arthur Kaliyev, Brett Berard or in today’s case, Jusso Pärssinen. But man, Othmann - Brodzinski - Rempe is such a fun and effective line. This was exemplified in their first shift of the night as they spent an extended amount of time cycling the puck in Columbus’ zone. 

About six minutes in, a bad decision with the puck by Will Cuylle created an outlet for Columbus and a defensive zone breakdown from the Rangers. Justin Danforth dropped a pass back to Zach Werenski who danced around everyone, most notably Carson Soucy, to find Danforth all alone in front of the net for the tap-in, 1-0 Columbus. 

With about eight minutes to go, Brett Berard was moving the puck ahead on his backhand in the neutral zone and got caught in a real awkward angle as he was facing the boards. Kent Johnson, laid a hit on Berard who was not only turned, but standing right in front of the door to Columbus’ bench which was open, resulting in quite a scary collision. Berard went right into the corner of the open boards which left him in a great deal of pain and gave the Rangers the first power play of the night. 

With Chris Kreider back on the top unit, he had a couple of real good chances in his typical netfront position but Danill Tarasov came up with some big saves. The power play drought would continue as the two shots from Kreider were all the Rangers had to show for. Mika Zibanejad again passed up some key opportunities to shoot the puck which can’t continue to happen at this stage of the season. 

In the final minute of the opening period, another strong shift from the fourth line forced Columbus to ice the puck with Rempe hard on the forecheck. On the following shift, Alexis Lafrenière let a shot go off the face-off that ended up deflecting off the stick of Artemi Panarin for a much needed goal to tie things up before intermission. Fifth straight game in which Panarin has scored a goal. 

The Rangers would end up taking a man advantage into the intermission as Denton Mateychuk was called for interference shortly after the goal. Second penalty of the period drawn by Brett Berard. A good finish to a period of hockey that wasn’t the most exciting, but much better than what we saw yesterday in Ottawa. Shots were 10-5 in the Rangers favor who also led in face-offs, shot attempts, expected goals, and high danger chances 5-3. 

2nd Period:

The Rangers still had a minute and a half of power play time to start the second period but again, couldn’t generate much of anything. About a minute and a half after that, some carelessness from Panarin and Will Borgen, who somehow lost his stick in the congestion at Columbus’ blue line, allowed for Adam Fantilli to walk the puck into the Rangers zone, let a shot go and score to regain the lead, 2-1. 

Just 26 seconds later, a turnover from Braden Schneider with some help from Zibanejad who got in his way, gave Fanitlli the opportunity to shoot the puck once again as he was left alone in front. The way he was shooting, he wasn’t missing as he fired home his second of the night. 

Ivan Provorov nearly made it 4-1 as he let a shot go with Jonathan Quick seemingly falling before the shot was even released but thankfully, Borgen and all the traffic in front helped keep the puck out of harm's way. Shortly after, Will Cuylle was off to the box for holding to give Columbus their first power play of the night. Sure enough, that worked out in their favor. 

A good forecheck from Trocheck sent the puck back to Mika Zibanejad who had Braden Schneider wide open on the right wing side. Schneider walked right in and sniped a shot up high past Tarasov to bring his team back within one. A much needed goal for Schneider who has struggled a bit as of late. 

Just 42 seconds later, another strong effort from Zibanejad on the penalty kill helped clog up the neutral zone and created a massive turnover for Chris Kreider. The two Rangers veterans took the puck in on a 2-on-0 and after a couple of back-and-forth passes, Kreider snapped the shot home to tie the game, 3-3. Kreider’s first goal since returning from injury came at a huge moment for him and his team as they needed something like two shorthanded goals to spark some life back in this game.

With some newfound energy in the building, both sides were playing with good pace but with just under three minutes to go, the Rangers allowed for Columbus to regain the lead yet again. Another tremendous pass from Zach Werenski found Mathieu Olivier all alone in front who was able to redirect it past Quick to make it a 4-3 game. Kind of a strange angle for the puck to trickle in, not a great one for Quick to let sneak through. 

Another defensive zone breakdown about a minute and a half later allowed for Dante Fabbro to let a shot go through traffic and through Quick to extend their lead 5-3. Just like that, all the momentum from the two shorthanded goals was gone and the Rangers season may as well be on the line. Down by two going into the third period of a critical game, the Rangers were running out of time to prove they want to make anything of this season. 

3rd Period:

It felt like watching a cardio workout to start the third period as the Rangers were being out-shot 3-0 through the first six minutes of play. They caught a break as Provorov sent the puck over the glass to give the Rangers another chance on the power play. Despite shooting the puck more frequently, they still had nothing to show for as time continued to escape them. 

The fourth line followed up the power play with another fantastic shift but once they changed, Columbus would strike again. A shot from Olivier created a rebound for Johnson to bat in that went off of Zac Jones, up and over Quick to make it a 6-3 game. Absolutely brutal, no bones about it. 

Zero fight from this team. With eight minutes to go, the Blue Jackets once again danced around the Rangers defenders and Adam Fantilli picked up the hat-trick. How the Rangers were still leaving him all alone in front of the net is beyond me. 

A minute later, Trocheck took a hit from behind from Luke Kunin who was immediately challenged to a fight by Will Borgen. Stick taps to Borgen for sticking up for his teammate but at this point, it was hard to feel good about anything. 

The Rangers ended up with the power play as Kunin had the extra penalty and decided to pull Quick for the extra attacker. Naturally, they wouldn't’ score but somehow they managed to come out of it without giving up an empty netter as they got Quick back in net following a whistle. It didn't matter, the game was over, likely before they even came back out for the third period.

This team has truly had chance after chance to redeem themselves. For as bad as things have been throughout the season, the wildcard race in the East was just as bad. Even this late in the season, the Rangers had one weekend to pull it together and get themselves back in the playoff picture and instead, they proved once and for all that they aren't capable of achieving the type of success they're expected to achieve. As the final horn sounded, it really feels as if the season is over.

The Rangers will hit the road for a three game stretch to visit the Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild and a rematch with the Columbus Blue Jackets. That kicks off Tuesday Night in Winnipeg.