New York Rangers Downed By the Columbus Blue Jackets
Tonight, the Rangers ride the momentum from their last game into Columbus, as they battled the Blue Jackets. Coming off a two goal effort, Rick Nash will be front and center as he faces his former team. For the Blue jackets, it’s their home opener and what better way to ring the new season then battling one of your division opponents and growing rival.
At opening faceoff, the line of Derick Brassard, Mats Zuccarello, Carl Hagelin, Dan Girardi, and Ryan McDonagh took to the ice. A lot of hype was felt at the start of the game. The Rangers started out a little sloppy, as they iced the puck early on. The Blue Jackets put good pressure on the team in the first three minutes of play.
The first penalty of the game was incurred by Hagelin with an elbow, giving the Blue Jackets their first power play. A steal by McDonagh lead to a breakaway and almost a short handed goal. Fortunately, the Rangers stood tall as the penalty kill unit was able to withstand the Blue Jackets pressure.
The first goal of the game was given up by the Rangers. The puck found the back of the net as former Ranger Artem Anisimov unleashed a snap shot which beat Cam Talbot glove side. Assists were credited to Scott Hartnell and Mike Dano. And with that, the crowd grew louder as the cannon “boomed” in the distance.
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A hooking penalty was called on the Blue Jackets; and, the Rangers had their first opportunity on the power play. Though, the Rangers did not score, there was good puck movement and a couple of quality shots were put on Sergei Bobrovsky.
After a heavy hit on Anisimov from Lee Stempniak, a scuffle occurred along the benches. He was called for charging and the Blue Jackets saw their second power play. After successfully killing off the penalty, Stempniak draws penalty as he headed to the net. After the referree’s hand was raised, Scott Hartnell came in with a late hit, possible retaliation for Stempniak’s hit on Anisimov earlier. Unfortunately, the Rangers weren’t able to take advantage.
Shortly after, the cannon was fired again as a tripped up Nick Foligno was able to slide the puck under Talbot making it 2-0. Assists were credited to Ryan Johansen and Dennis Savard. An injury scare was witnessed as Mats Zuccarello was seen heading to the locker room favoring his right arm. As the period ended, the Rangers were up in shots 10-7, but held off the scoreboard.
As the second period got underway, the Rangers needed to push back and start sustaining offensive pressure if they had a chance of putting up any goals. Fortunately, Zuccarello was seen back on the bench and even took his normal spot on with Brassard and Hagelin.
The Rangers finally scored as Stempniak got revenge from his earlier hit by putting the puck past Bobrovski. The youngster Anthony Duclair got his first NHL point, as he was the primary assist man . Marc Staal received the secondary assist. And all of a sudden, the crowd in Columbus got a little quieter with that goal.
Near the midway point of the period, the Blue Jackets got one back off a chip shot from Cam Atkinson. After a shot from the point, Foligno deflected a shot which was blocked by the Rangers but the rebound was scooped by Atkinson on a open net. The Blue jackets regained a two goal advantage, making the score 3-1.
A dangerous hit from Blue Jackets Dalton Prout was seen near the bench, as Dominic Moore was the recieptient. Tanner Glass came in to defend Moore, but received a roughing penalty. The result: a third power play for the Blue Jackets. No goal was scored, and the penalty kill remained perfect for the night.
As the game went on, the tension between the two teams were mounting. Questionable hits and retaliation was seen all around the ice.
A near goal was stopped by Bobrovski. The Rangers caught the Blue Jackets on a line change and a charge into the offensive zone was led by Rick Nash. He slid a pass across the ice to a sprinting Martin St. Louis, who got behind the defense. He one-touched the puck to what seemed to be wide open net. However, Bobrovski sprawled across and robbed St. Louis of sure goal, bringing the crowd to their feet.
A center ice collision between Skille and Zuccarello, prompted a in-your face confrontation by Chris Kreider. As a result of his actions, he received a five minute major and an additional ten minutes for a game misconduct. J.T. Miller served two additional minutes.
In the last minute, the Blue Jackets were called for a high sticking penalty on Ryan McDonagh, evening the teams four on four.
Asd the period ended, the Rangers were up in shots 18-15. Despite scoring a goal, the Rangers still found themselves down 3-1.
Down by two goals, the Rangers needed to find a way to get back into this game.
Aother near goal was almost realized for the Rangers as Duclair stole the puck from James Wisnewski. However, the youngster mishandled the puck and lost control.
A mad scramble in front of Bobrovski occurred, as the Rangers went crashing into the net. Right in the middle of the play was Stempniak, who initiated the action. No penalties resulted from the play.
Despite strong efforts by the Rangers to get back into the game, the Blue Jackets made it 4-1 off a goal from Marko Dano. Assists were credited to Prout and Michael Chaput.
To counter, Nash got one back off a pass from Duclair making it 4-2.
With three minutes, head coach Alain Vigneault elected for the the open net and having six players on the ice. Unfortunately, the Blue jackets took advantage and scored on the empty net. The goal was scored by Atkinson for his second of the game. Assist was credited to Scott Hartnell.
According to the NHL, the three stars of the game were all Columbus:
First Star: Nick Foligno
Second Star: Marko Dano
Third star: Cam Atkinson
And with that, the Rangers end their two game road trip, 1-1. The team is back at it tomorrow night as they return to New York for their home opener at Madison Square Garden, as they host the Toronto Maple Leafs.