Rangers Triumph in Dramatic Shootout
In a thrilling encounter at Nationwide Arena, the New York Rangers secured their ninth road victory of the NHL season, edging out the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 in a dramatic shootout on Saturday night. This win marks the Rangers’ third consecutive victory and their sixth straight triumph away from home.
Key Performances
Mika Zibanejad was pivotal for the Rangers, netting the opening goal in the second period after he capitalized on his rebound during New York’s first power-play opportunity. Meanwhile, Igor Shesterkin showcased his skills by turning aside 24 shots, maintaining the Rangers’ winning streak against Columbus, whom they have now beaten three times in a row dating back to the previous season.
Blue Jackets’ Response
On the other side, Columbus’s Dmitri Voronkov responded to Zibanejad’s goal by scoring a power-play equalizer less than a minute later. His goal was set up by a rebound following a shot from Zach Werenski, marking a thrilling turnaround for the Blue Jackets, who had been struggling offensively early in the game. Prior to this, the Blue Jackets didn’t register a shot on target until halfway through the second period, but a spirited fight involving Mathieu Olivier invigorated the home team’s energy.
Decisive Shootout
Despite being outshot throughout the match, Columbus managed to force the game into a shootout. In the final shootout round, J.T. Miller secured the win for the Rangers with a decisive shot past Blue Jackets’ goalie Jet Greaves, who made an impressive 31 saves in the match, marking his head coach Dean Evason’s 100th game at the helm.
Looking Ahead
The Rangers now look ahead to a showdown with the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday, while the Blue Jackets will host the Montreal Canadiens on Monday as they look to regain their momentum after this close contest.
