New York Rangers winning streak snapped in Ohio during loss to Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus would strike first after they were on a powerplay. Dmitry Voronkov would tap home a geed from Kirill Marchenko that went across Jonathan Quick who had no chance on the play. Voronkov's 16th of the season left the Rangers trailing early. A review for a time check gave a quick hope of the goal being chalked off, but the cold water quickly put that out and the Rangers needed to show why they are fighting to be at the top of the standings tonight.
New York's second line would get it back when Adam Fox was able to stop the puck from exiting the zone. Fox got the puck to Artemi Panarin who was able to find a hole on Elvis Merzlikins as he found his 33rd goal of the season against his former club. A tie game gave the Rangers a platform to push forward and make it 11 straight wins for the first time in franchise history.
Columbus would get it back when Vorkonov was able to get the puck across the front of Jonathan Quick and into the possession of Kirill Marchenko. Marchenko rounded Quick and had a yawning cage to slide the puck into. It restored the Jackets lead and put the Rangers back on the back foot. Now, the offense was going to have to wake up and carry this team if they were to another win.
New York's fourth line would be the one to get it back when Matt Rempe was able to carry the puck into the offensive zone. Rempe got it to Adam Edstrom, and the two giants crashed the net. Edstrom tried to put it out in front to Rempe, but it never got through, instead bouncing into the net and tying this game up at 2. A badly needed goal for the Blueshirts brought us back to a position of equality.
Johnny Gaudreau was able to create a rush-chance with Jack Roslovic. Gaudreau forced the defenders to stay in a position where they were trying to defend both options, but some players have the ability to play a picture perfect pass. Gaudreau did that and eventually it ended up on the blade of Roslovic, who couldn't miss. He put it home to give the Jackets the lead for the third time on the night.
Columbus' defense would get the next one. Jack Roslovic moving the puck up the ice cut into the Ranger zone and stopped dead at the top of the circle. Middle lane drive had drawn the two players back in K'Andre Miller and Jonny Brodzinski to the net. It left a wide-open defenseman to join in the rush in the form of Ivan Provorov who was able to put the puck home from the hashmarks. 4-2 Jackets in the second period.
Despite the efforts in the final period, there was no solving Elvis Merzlikins and the New York Rangers winning streak was snapped at 10. It had to come to an end at some point, but to lose it to a bottom-feeder like the Blue Jackets will disappoint a lot of the players and coaches. This team didn't have a great night and they lost. Need to be better going forward because the schedule is about to get a lot more difficult.