Alexandra Russo

The Rangers knew coming in to this game that Columbus was a more formidable team than last year and that they had a six game home winning streak. Their attempt to break that streak failed as they dropped a 4-2 decision to the Blue Jackets, finishing off their road trip 3-1.

The first power play of the game went to the Rangers, and they circulated the puck well but were held to one shot on goal. Against the best power play in the League, the Rangers did a great job after Nash put his team short-handed. The Jackets barely had any chances as they were kept to the outside.

With under five minutes to go in the first period, a bad set of plays put the Rangers behind by a goal. JT Miller gave the puck away right in the middle of the defensive zone to Karlsson who ripped a shot from the blue line. Lundqvist didn’t get the pads together in time on a shot that normally wouldn’t count as a quality scoring chance. The period ended with three shots on goal for each team, proving how limited the opportunities were. 

The second period started fast for the Blue Jackets, as they took advantage of another Rangers’ giveaway. Jesper Fast gave the puck directly to Sam Gagner in front of Lundqvist. Hank made the initial save but couldn’t locate the puck as it bounced off his back and into the net for a two goal lead.

It was Michael Grabner with a breakaway after a good block that led to his eleventh goal of the season. Grabner escaped the checking of a Columbus defenseman and made some skill moves around Bobrovsky for an unassisted goal, his ninth in ten games.

With a little over five minutes left in the middle period, Henrik Lundqvist made a point-blank save on Foligno. This pad save definitely kept the momentum from swinging in the home team’s favor, but the period finished off with the Blue Jackets on top by a goal.

Oscar Lindberg took a penalty just over five minutes into the third period, but the Rangers again were able to come up with a big kill. That kill gave them some momentum, which they used to tie the game a few minutes later. Brady Skjei scooped up a puck from the circle and threw a shot at the net that Zibanejad slipped in for a tie game.

Matt Calvert took advantage of a two on one on the Rangers power play and decided to hold on to it instead of passing the puck. Lundqvist seemed unsure as he reached up with his arm to stop the puck from going behind him but wasn’t fast enough, and Columbus took a 3-2 lead. It was the first shorthanded goal that the Rangers gave up this season and the first Columbus scored.

The Blueshirts made a final push in the dying seconds of the final period. McDonagh had a great shot that got deflected by Stepan in front, but Bobrovsky came up big for his team as they won the game 4-2 on an empty net goal by Jenner.

The Rangers didn’t get a good chance to sustain their offense in this game. Any time they had an offensive push, it didn’t last. It was only in spurts. They also didn’t get many quality opportunities with whatever pucks they did throw at the net. Henrik Lundqvist could have been sharper on at least two of those goals, and Oscar Lindberg also still has yet to record a point.

On the bright side, Chris Kreider was looking like himself. He was flying up and down the ice when he had the chance and didn’t seem to have any problems being aggressive at the net. Ryan McDonagh continues to play great hockey and lead the team with time logged.

Their next game is on Sunday against the Florida Panthers back at Madison Square Garden. Tune in at 7pm to catch the action as the Rangers look to get back on track.