New York Rangers @ Columbus Blue Jackets: 10/14/23 Recap

The New York Rangers are a high-energy playoff team and a challenge for the constantly adapting Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets met that challenge better than my optimism had hoped tonight! The first goal would favor the New York Rangers, thanks to Erik Gustafsson at 0:50 into the game. I was concerned that this game would quickly get away from us. The Blue Jackets proved me wrong, though, and I'm always happy when they do so! 9:36 would mark when Captain Boone Jenner would tie the game; the captain would have assists from Johnny Gaudreau and Kirill Marchenko. This would be Gaudreau's first this season, but in just two games, Marchenko is already up to 3. Before this period would end, at 17:45, Jenner would put another into the back of the Rangers' net! Even better, this was a powerplay goal, too, meaning it's improved since last season. The score would be 2-1. This game is the first time I've seen three goals taken off the board. The Rangers would lose two goals due to being offsides, while we would lose a goal when the buzzer and cannon went off due to it not entirely passing the goal line. It's an electric start to the game, only 1/3 of the way over!  

Period 2 would see some historic moments for our organization. First, Boone Jenner would find that third hat trick, goal! It would come off a pass from Jake Bean, giving him his first season assist at 12:30. What a moment for him, one he's only experienced twice now. For being injured at the end of last season, what a way to come back! This wouldn't be the only big moment this season. Elvis would make incredible save after incredible save, and then, David Jiricek would score a goal in one of his professional hockey careers! The goal at 13:37 would give Patrik Laine his first assist this season and Ivan Provorov his second. So, that's a 4-1 lead for your CBJ with 20 minutes left in regulation!   

And then, some unease would set in as we'd see no sign of starting goaltender Elvis Merzlikins for period 3. Instead, Spencer Martin would protect the Blue Jackets net and three-goal lead. After a few long minutes of attacking Martin and our goal, the Rangers would gain the chance at a powerplay because of an interference call against Defenseman David Jiricek. The Blue Jackets kill would come through for us, but not long after, at 10:53, Will Cuylle would help his team with a goal. This would take the game to 4-2. After this score, Martin would be under attack by the Rangers, but then the Blue Jackets would get the puck away from them and score goal five!  Justin Danforth has his first goal this season at 15:54. Also, Cole Sillinger and Kent Johnson would gain their first assists on his goal. The Rangers would get one more goal, taking us to a 5-3, two-goal Blue Jackets lead. That goal would come from Chris Kreider at 19:24, but that's all she wrote!  The Blue Jackets won 5-3 against a tough opponent in their Metropolitan Division! 

Elvis Merzlikins wouldn't return, and since it was said he's ill, that's for the best. He finished with 24 saves on 25 Rangers shots, giving him a .960%. 

Over the last period, Spencer Martin would have 15 saves on 17 Rangers shots. He'd finish with a solid .882%. Now, that doesn't seem high, but he was incredible for how much he was being attacked in that lone period he played. 

Tonight was a fantastic turnaround for the Blue Jackets. This was a great win to take home tonight and build upon for Monday night. We will face the Detroit Red Wings, and even on home ice, they will bring the fight. That game starts at 7:00 p.m., and we'll talk after CBJ!

Go CBJ!