Columbus Blue Jackets @ New York Rangers: 11/12/23 Game Recap

 My apologies, readers; I said I'd be back for the Red Wings game on Saturday, and I wasn't. I didn't realize that was a 1:00 p.m. puck drop, and I was working 12-6 p.m. I am back now, though, just in time for an entertaining matchup in Madison Square Garden! 

The Blue Jackets would draw the first goal tonight at 16:26, thanks to Justin Danforth. This goal gives him four so far this NHL Season. In addition, Erik Gudbranson would earn his fourth assist, while Zach Werenski would gain his seventh. Of course, the Rangers wouldn't just let the opening period go without a goal. They would find a way past Elvis Merzlikins at 18:48. The fact this goal came from Chris Kreider, I'm sure, will shock no one. So, we would start a new game in the second period, looking for one team to go ahead of the other again. 

We wouldn't have to wait long for that to happen, either. At 11:17, Alexis Lafreniere would pop one into the Blue Jackets net, and his Rangers would take a 2-1 lead. Adam Fantilli would ensure that lead didn't last long, though, as he would tie the game 2-2 at 12:35! He now has four, and thanks to this goal, Dmitri Voronkov has five assists now, too. Seconds later, at 12:54, Sean Kuraly would score his fifth goal this season, and the lead would be ours again! Alexander Texier would gain his second assist this season, and Erik Gudbranson would add his fifth. Before the period would end, it would appear the Rangers scored again to make it a 3-3 game going into the third. After waiting what felt like a year for the review, though, this would be ruled as a 'no goal,' and the Blue Jackets would take their one-goal lead into the final regulation period! 

Period 3 would start with fireworks. Sean Kuraly would get a two-minute boarding penalty after a conclusion with Ryan Lindgren, coupled with another two-minute penalty for roughing Nick Bonino. Bonino would also have an equal penalty of two minutes for roughing. That said, the Rangers would gain the two-minute advantage, but even after another penalty against Justin Danforth for a high stick, they would kill off the Rangers' chances of another tie. The Blue Jackets would play perfectly, defending their 3-2 lead...until 19:49, when Alexis Lafreniere would make his second goal tonight would be pivotal, keeping his team alive. With a 3-3 game for 0:11, the game would go to overtime. 

For five minutes straight, you'd think both these teams were fresh and hadn't played a single minute of hockey tonight. This time can be summed up by two words: shoot and miss. Neither team had anything to hang their heads about in this period; it was pressure on top of pressure. So, for the first time this season, the Blue Jackets take a shootout!  

However, Alexis Lafreniere would score in the third round, and we wouldn't be able to match the shot. So, the Rangers take this game, but wow, what a game it was. Rangers win in Madison Square Garden 4-3. We still get a point, but with our Blue Jackets playing so well tonight, I know they wish it were two. Some may not see it this way, but I do: This team has improved. I remember last season when watching this team fight back was a luxury. Now, it's become a regular occurrence.  

It was also a .925% night for Elvis Merzlikins, with 37 saves on the Rangers' 40 total shots. 

Our next game will be on November 14th (Tuesday) in Nationwide Arena. The Pittsburgh Penguins will come to town, and that's always a good time! The puck will drop at home at 7:00 p.m. 

Go CBJ!