Columbus Blue Jackets @ New York Rangers: 2/28/24 Game Recap

After the Blue Jackets snapped the Rangers' chance at extending their win streak to eleven, creating a new franchise record, they were expected to be revenge-centered tonight on home ice at Madison Square Garden. That said, period one was a fair fight, ending the way it started with a 0-0 tie. The scoring would begin with a former Blue Jacket at 7:17 into period two as Artemi Panarin would pop a zinger past Elvis Merzlikins. This would be followed by another Rangers goal at 14:19 by Adam Foxx. The Rangers would keep this 2-0 lead until 3:23 of period three when Cole Sillinger would score against one of the best goalies in the NHL today, Igor Shesterkin, preventing a Rangers' shutout. That's Sillinger's ninth goal this season, and it would also give Damon Severson his thirteenth assist this season. Rangers' Will Cuylle and Blue Jackets' Dmitri Voronkov would have a full-blown fight in less than five minutes. Both men would leave the game with five-minute majors. Even without a high-scoring Blue Jacket in the lineup, the Blue Jackets would continue to push. The bitter sting of an empty net goal would come from Chris Kreider at 19:06. A slapshot into a second empty net at 19:48 would give Artemi Panarin a second goal against his former team, and that would take us to our 4-1 final, Rangers win.   

It's worth mentioning that Johnny Gaudreau did take a hit in period two. He did leave the game, and the defending of Gaudreau by Mathieu Olivier led to the Rangers' powerplay, which gave them the Adam Foxx goal. The only good news from all of this is that Johnny Gaudreau would file out with the team for the final regulation period and play through the game's end. 

I will be at tomorrow's Military Appreciation Game, so I will not write a game recap blog. Sorry, everyone, I plan to enjoy this one against the Carolina Hurricanes that starts at 7:00 p.m. Remember, the USO will collect donations of snacks. There will be many other amazing honors for current and prior military service members and fans. I cannot wait! Also, if you have ESPN+, you can watch the game there tomorrow night as well! Details about the USO collection and evening events are on the Columbus Blue Jackets official website. 

Go CBJ!  





   

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