COLUMBUS, Ohio — This was a game that had serious playoff implications for multiple teams in the Rangers division.
A Blueshirts win would’ve maintained the Islanders’ sole ownership of third place in the Metropolitan Division, but the team’s 6-3 loss to the Blue Jackets on Thursday night pushed Columbus into a points tie with their cross-state rivals.
The Blue Jackets continue their push to make the playoffs and end the organization’s five-year postseason drought, extending their point streak to 11 straight games with the win.
In March, the Rangers’ 62.5 penalty kill percentage entering Thursday’s game was the worst in the NHL.
Naturally, Vladislav Gavrikov was called for hooking just 45 seconds into the game.
Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin came up with seven saves on the Blue Jackets power play, on the way to 31 total on the night, but it was indicative of how much the group has been struggling while shorthanded.
Tye Kartye was questionably called for high sticking just over two minutes later to send the Rangers back on the PK.
The laws of the puck, however, balanced out.
Vincent Trocheck forced a Zach Werenski turnover at the blue line before scoring on a shorthanded breakaway for the 1-0 lead.
The puck began to really bounce in Columbus’ favor as they continued to outwork the visitors.
One squeezed out of a scrum right to the stick of Isac Lundeström in the slot for the tie score.
Another bounced off the head of Braden Schneider in front of the net and over Shesterkin into the cage.
It’s just been that kind of season for the Rangers, who have rarely dictated the way games have gone this season.
While Mika Zibanejad scored relatively early in the second period to even the score at two-all, the Blue Jackets pulled away by two goals by the second intermission.
Captain Boone Jenner followed up on his own rebound before Adam Fantilli redirected a Werenski shot on the power play.
Columbus ultimately finished 1-for-5 with the man-advantage.
The Rangers managed to cut it to one on a power play they earned at the end of the second period, when Alexis Lafrenière backhand tipped an Adam Fox shot from the top of the zone for the 4-3 score.
As a result, Lafrenière reached the 20-goal benchmark for just the second time over his six seasons with the Rangers.
A surplus of penalties in the third period prevented either team from gaining much traction in the final 20 minutes.
During four-on-four play, however, Damon Severson cleaned up a rebound in front to regain the two-goal lead for Columbus.
