Renewing The Faith- Blue Jackets Beat Rangers 5-3! 1/27/22

Let's go!  The Rangers opened the scoring in Period 1, with a former Blue Jacket scorer.  Panarin find the net just 1:29 into the game.  After this, his teammate, Goodrow, found the net at 4:44.  2-0 lead for the Rangers, but it wouldn't last.  Nyquist would soon tack on a goal for the home team, at 5:49, 2-1 Rangers.  Then, that Capta, our Captain, would find the net.  Jenner, at 7:28, would score the tying goal.  He is already up to 17 in his inaugural year.  Whereas Nyquist has now netted 11.  Very impressive.  

In period 2, Kuraly would score again for the Blue Jackets.  This goal would come at 6:18.  Jenner would then flex those Captain mussels again, adding number 18 to his season's total.  This would come at 12:27.  No Ranger would score during this period, which in my mind is a huge improvement from last night's Defense nightmare.   

In Period 3, the Rangers would find the net again, however.  This would come at 7:12, from Zibanejad.  At 17:46, Kuraly would again find the Ranger's net.  This would be an empty net, and give the Blue Jackets a 5-3 lead.   

It's saves and night's like this, which only prove my point last week.  Korpisalo needs to be kept.  Merzlikins isn't going to be on his game every night.  Further, we need a good backup for if he becomes ill or injured.  Korpisalo is that goaltender, hands down.  

Regarding this team's playing ability, they only lack consistency.  Truly, that is the only thing this team seems to be missing.  Yes, we've lost big games to the Panthers and Flames.  However, we've won big games against the Hurricanes and Rangers.  Also, I'd agree with anyone who says the penalties are an issue, because they are.  However, that just comes with time and practice.  The young players need to just watch themselves, as do some of the veterans.  Penalties happen, but the amount decreased would also help the winning plan for the Blue Jackets team.  

Focusing on tonight, they lost last night to the Flames 6-0.  Tonight, they gathered themselves and beat the Rangers, paying them back for the beat down earlier this season, in MSG, with a 5-3 final.  Jenner, with 2 goals and 1 assist, equaling his best with a 3 point total, tonight.  (It was stated to be 4, however, according to Jeff Svoboda that was updated.  You can read his tweet below in my sources.)  Werenski had no goals, but 3 assists.  Kuraly had 2 goals.  Nyquist adds another goal to his season total.  For how big of a loss last night was, for tonight to follow after just 24 hours, says a lot about this team.  

Also, keep in mind, if this team wants to achieve division and even a Stanley Cup victory someday, we have to stop letting the good ones go.  Panarin had 3 points tonight, 1 goal and 2 assists.  He plays great for the Rangers, as he once played great for us.  We need to stop supplying the other NHL teams with seasoned, great men.  If we hold onto the gems we have, the treasure could be well within reach, soon.  

The Blue Jackets will now head to Canada, to face the Canadians, on Sunday.  Puck drop is at 7:00 PM EST.  We are now 19-21-1, while the Canadians are 8-27-7.  They also had a game tonight, against the Ducks, which they narrowly lost, 5-4.  So, don't let that record fool you, anything is possible, and for that this team has to carry over tonight's win, and play hard, Sunday.  We're about half way through the season, this isn't the time to be hungry for a win, it's the time to be starving.  The push to the end, playoffs or not, is the cornerstone to starting next season strong.  We can, consistency is key, and an improvement which could happen at anytime.  

Go CBJ!  

Sources:

Jeff Svoboda Tweet  "Looks like the ENG assist has been taken off Boone Jenner's ledger tonight, but he still ties a career high with three points. Two goals, an assist, seven shot attempts, six hits. It was a Boone's Day.

#CBJ"