Rangers vs. Blue Jackets: Three in a Row!
Ugly officiating, strong effort—the Rangers keep their cool, grind out a road win, and prove this team isn’t the same one from October.
- That was a game that the New York Rangers pretty decisively lose earlier in the year (especially if they were playing at home). The Rangers dominated the first 35 minutes or so of this game, actually outshooting Columbus 21-4 at one point. The puck just—get ready for this—did not go into the back of the net. The October MSG Rangers would have completely shelled into themselves and ended up losing 4-0 after two empty net goals. Last night the Rangers at the very least kept pressing, even if they did let Columbus sort of drive the bus the final 15 minutes or so.
- I will also say that—and it's the first time all year I have mentioned this in a Notes recap, I believe—the officiating was outrageously bad. I counted three sets of full glove punches to the face over the course of the second period that went uncalled. Conor Sheary had his stick slashed out of his hand without even a thought of arm being raised. When all was said and done both teams went 1-for-2 on their respective power plays, but the officiating was an absolute joke tonight. Just top level horrible.
- I actually thought it was a really good offensive performance (process wise) from the big guns. I know Mika Zibanejad scored the only regulation goal of the game, but I thought he was wonderful throughout. J.T. Miller still looks slow and is very clearly (in my opinion) battling through something that needs time to heal, but he was good in this one. Vincent Trocheck continues to look like a different player than last year.
- Artemi Panarin had only an assist on the Zibanejad goal, but I thought he was really good throughout this game.
