Columbus Blue Jackets @ New York Rangers: 3/28/23 Game Recap

 It's our last trip to Madison Square Garden (MSG) this 2022-23 NHL Season. A season that has been painful to watch as it's been riddled with injuries for our Blue Jackets. However, this season is still ongoing, and there's confidence for next season on the Line, in addition to a coveted top 3 Draft Pick. So, without further delay, let's recap some hockey. 

Period 1 would have a fire start for the Rangers and an equal spark for the Blue Jackets. At 5:23, F. Chytil would score first tonight for his Rangers. Their second goal would come at 6:50 from V. Tarasenko, and then their newly acquired player, P. Kane, would add goal three at 8:00. This would put the Rangers up to a quick 3-0 lead. However, it would now be the Blue Jackets' turn to put some points on the board. At 11:45, Kirill Marchenko would net his twentieth goal of his first NHL Season. This goal now ties him for the Rookie Season Record for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Like this goal couldn't get any better, it's also a Power Play goal for the CBJ. Our Power Play is not the best in the league, but it has come a long way since the start of this season. This is a fact that is all the more impressive, given how many veteran players were on the Power Play at the beginning of this season and are now out injured. We're making progress, folks, even if you don't think we are. I say all of this because some fans are just skipping games at this point and judging our team on the final score alone, which is never an accurate way to judge a team, especially if you're a member of the fan base! Anyway, Jack Roslovic adds his thirty-third assist on this Marchenko goal, which is fantastic for him. Also, the secondary assist would go to Johnny Gaudreau, which gives him an even fifty this season! Wow. Staying with Johnny Gaudreau, he would score his nineteenth goal at 19:31, giving him another multi-point game. Nineteen assists now for Captain Boone Jenner on this goal, while Jake Christiansen adds his third assist in the NHL this season. So, after all that scoring, we'd have a 3-2 Rangers lead with just 20 minutes played! 

Period 2 would see far less scoring action, but this game would continue with the speed you expect from a reinforced, NHL Playoff bound team. The Rangers would have the loan goal this period, thanks to former Blue Jacket Artemi Panarin. The goal would come at 17:36 into this period and the Rangers' first goal on the Power Play this evening. So, with another 20 minutes played, the Rangers would expand their lead to 4-2.  

Period 3 would start with the conclusion of a Poer Play for our Blue Jackets, but sadly they couldn't capitalize on it. The game would be a lot of back and forth until another goal would happen, and that goal would belong to M. Zibanejad at 14:27, taking the Rangers to a 5-2 lead. The empty net would be found with ease by the Rangers V. Troch at 16:21, and just like that, the Rangers would have a 6-2, four-goal lead. This is where the game would end, a 6-2 Rangers win and a Blue Jackets defeat. This was a well-played game for how many more players we have out on injury. Over the last week, we've slotted in three Monsters players in our core lineup. We all know many elements need improving this offseason, but I'll get more in-depth in my season wrap-up. 

Our next game is in Boston against the Bruins on March 30th. The puck drop for that game is set for 7:00 PM. It's a bit shocking, but the likely 2023 President Trophy Winners are about to be shutout at home by the Predators 2-0. So, we'll have to see what happens Thursday night; maybe an upset Columbus style? We're just going to have to tune in and find out 5th Line! 

Go CBJ!