Chris Kreider torments Torts again, Rangers win 4th straight in Columbus
Coming off a strong comeback win versus the Minnesota Wild, the Rangers went right back to work against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Columbus. Alexandar Georgiev and Chris Kreider would deliver the win, as New York defeated the Blue Jackets 3-1, sweeping the three game road trip. Here is our recap.
First period
Before the game, it was announced that Joey Keane was recalled from Hartford to serve as insurance as Marc Staal and Tony DeAngelo were considered game time decisions. Staal would end up skating but DeAngelo, who was injured against Minnesota was out. Keane would also be a healthy scratch as well.
As the game began, the Rangers quickly struck first, as Pavel Buchnevich deflected a shot from the point just 22 seconds into the first to put New York up 1-0. The Rangers were the more dominant team as they led the charge for most of the period with a strong forecheck in the Jackets zone. First period ended with the Rangers ahead in shots 11-6 and had a power play carry over into period 2.
Second period
The Rangers did not convert on their power play chance going into the second and continued their strong play. Pavel Buchnevich would receive a penalty for holding and a penalty for unsportsmanlike at 7:34 of the second and would kill off both minors, including two solid rushes down the ice by Mika Zibanejad and Greg McKegg to kill time. Since November 23rd, New York is 5th in the NHL in penalty killing. At 18:52 of the second, Oliver Bjorkstrand found the back of the net on a rebound shot against Georgiev to tie the game at one.
Third Period
The third period was close and tight between the two teams until Chris Kreider scored a late 3rd period goal at 16:49 to put the Rangers up by one. Columbus had gone shorthanded off a Too Many Men penalty, much to Jackets’ coach John Tortorella’s dismay. The power play had just ended for the Rangers as Zibanejad found Kreider lurking in the slot to put one past Merzlikins. Fans will recall how hard Torts was on Kreider early in his career, and apparently so does Kreider as he tends to torment his old coach. The highlight being a hat-trick in Torts’ first return to MSG after being fired in 2013.
Ryan Strome would add another tally with an empty net goal at 18:49 of the third to seal the deal 3-1. Alexandar Georgiev was stellar in net, as he held fort making 36 saves on 37 shots. New York was aggressive all game, keeping Columbus on edge. Although Columbus outshot New York 37-28, New York played a high, up tempo game and held strong to bump the win streak up to four. This four game win streak is the most for this New York Rangers team this season.
Post Game Notes
- Chris Kreider recorded two points (one goal, one assist), including the game-winning goal in the third period, registered three shots on goal, and posted a plus-two rating. Kreider was selected as the game’s First Star.
- The Rangers extended their winning streak to four games, which is a season-high. In addition, the Blueshirts have won five of the last six games (5-1-0 record), seven of the last nine games (7-2-0 record), and 11 of the last 16 contests (11-5-0 record).
- New York extended its road winning streak to five games and has outscored its opponents, 15-7, over the five contests.
- The Blueshirts have earned a win in 11 of their last 14 games against Metropolitan Division opponents (11-3-0 record) and have posted an 11-5-0 record against teams in the Metropolitan Division this season. Twelve of the Rangers’ final 25 regular-season games in 2019-20 are against Metropolitan Division teams.
Notes Courtesy of NYR PR
NEXT GAME: The Blueshirts head back home to the World’s Most Famous Arena on Sunday to take on the Bruins in a matinee matchup at 3PM.
LET’S GO RANGERS
More About:New York Rangers Analysis New York Rangers Games