The Rangers should name Chris Kreider captain.

The NY Rangers absolutely manhandled the Columbus Blue Jackets, getting the 4-0 shutout in a big win that righted the ship. The Rangers were able to score for on the Blue Jackets because, for the first time since the second game of the season, they had their full roster and top-nine. It showed almost immediately.

The Rangers completely dismantled the Blue Jackets to the tune of roughly 65% expected goals share through two periods. They “took a break” in the third, but the powerplay got them a pair of goals for insurance. Igor Shesterkin got the shutout, a well deserved on, as the Rangers cruise to that 4-0 score over the Blue Jackets.

Rangers 1, CBJ 0 – Welcome back Stromer

If you had “Strome drives Panarin’s effectiveness” on your Rangers Bingo board, you win. But this goal started with a good breakout and a bad backcheck by the Blue Jackets. Strome was the fourth man in, and he had all day and night to tee this up. Also, no one on the defense stepped up, giving him all the angles needed.

Rangers 2, CBJ 0 – Hart Fox

Adam Fox doing Adam Fox things with this pass to Alexis Lafreniere. However let’s note the three CBJ defensemen not paying attention to Laf cutting to the back door.

Rangers 3, CBJ 0 – Another PPG for Kreider

Chris Kreider is the best net front presence in the NHL, bar none. He placed an excellent deflection on the pass from Artemiy Panarin.

Rangers 4, CBJ 0 – Kreider again

I don’t know what Columbus is doing, leaving Kreider open like this at the slot. But they did, and that was a hell of a deflection.

Game Flow – All Rangers, all the time

The Rangers owned the Blue Jackets. There was that one blip in the third where the Rangers took their foot off the gas, but they answered with another powerplay goal before finishing out the shutout.

The shutout was nice, and it was certainly a statement win after there were some doubts about their 4-2-1 record to start the season. Now at 5-2-1, the Rangers will face much harder tests, but they needed this win to get things rolling again.

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