The New York Rangers fell to the Columbus Blue Jackets, 5-3, on Tuesday night. In a busy night of NHL action, the Rangers’ chances of a better draft pick improved with the loss.
The New York Rangers lost to Artemi Panarin and the Columbus Blue Jackets, 4-3. Panarin scored three goals and added an assist. He completed his second career hat trick (both against the Rangers) when he scored into an empty net with only seconds left.
Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider scored power play goals for the Rangers, while Kevin Hayes added a shorthanded marker.
Henrik Lundqvist was under siege early, but made save after save. The Blue Jackets broke through when Alexander Wennberg converted a pass from behind the net. Midway through the second period, Panarin scored his first of the game to make it 2-0.
Hayes’ shorthanded breakaway goal brought the Rangers within one, but Columbus scored three times in the third period to seal the game.
Lundqvist made 26 saves on 30 shots, including a spectacular block on a Blue Jackets two-on-zero. He was briefly shaken up when Columbus forward Matt Calvert went barreling into him, but stayed in the game.