The Rangers started strong, dominating the Columbus Blue Jackets to the tune of three goals, one from each of the top three lines, in the first eight minutes, en route to a strong 4-2 win. The Kid line was dominant, the Rangers got offense up and down the lineup, and Igor Shesterkin was fantastic yet again. Columbus is awful, but this could have easily been a trap game. There were lapses, but the Rangers avoided it for the most part.

The Kid Line kicked things off for the Rangers by crashing the net early and giving the Rangers the lead. Then trade deadline acquisitions Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane beat Michael Hutchinson 70 seconds apart and it seemed like the route was on. However the Rangers defensive zone play was less than stellar in this one, with two poor plays leading to a pair of unanswered goals by Columbus to keep this a game.

Artemi Panarin gave the Rangers a cushion on the powerplay in the third period, and Shesterkin made a few spectacular saves to preserve the win. Mika Zibanejad sealed it with 5:33 to go.

Rangers 1, Blue Jackets 0

Crash the net, score goals. K’Andre Miller’s shot wasn’t controlled by Hutchinson, Alexis Lafreniere was able to keep the puck loose, and Filip Chytil finished. Not enough bodies on bodies in front by Columbus.

Rangers 2, Blue Jackets 0

The Rangers created their own luck, with the Ben Harpur pass attempt getting deflected right to Braden Schneider with room and Vladimir Tarasenko cutting to the net. It was a numbers game and an easy feed and deflection for Tarasenko.

Rangers 3, Blue Jackets 0

The Blue Jackets simply couldn’t stop the Rangers in the first, a nice change of pace from past games. The Rangers broke their forecheck quickly, gained the zone with possession, and had numbers over the blue line. A simple pass across the slot line and Patrick Kane’s shot was just perfect.

Rangers 3, Blue Jackets 1

Two Rangers chased the puck to the high slot, which left the slot line pass to Kirill Marchenko wide open. Looks like Niko Mikkola and Adam Fox got crossed up on a switch in front of the net.

Rangers 3, Blue Jackets 2

Again two Rangers going to the puck, leaving Johnny Gaudreau wide open with room. The Rangers started strong, but they had some major defensive lapses to close out the first period.

Rangers 4, Blue Jackets 2

The Kid Line did the work to draw a penalty, and PP1 finished. Offensively, the Rangers were skating all over the Blue Jackets, and after Mika Zibanejad skated half a lap uncontested, he got the puck up to Adam Fox as Artemi Panarin moved lower, took the pass from Fox, and beat Hutchinson with a beautiful shot.

Rangers 5, Blue Jackets 2

The Blue Jackets turned the puck over in the offensive zone, and Panarin did Panarin things, drawing all 5 Blue Jackets to him before dishing to Zibanejad for the finish.

Rangers 6, Blue Jackets 2

Trocheck empty netter, snapping his goalless streak.

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