Rangers Lose Another Heartbreaker Falling 4-3 To Columbus

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The Rangers entered their final home game of 2018 in desperate need of a win, however, that wasn’t meant to be as the Blueshirts lost for the fifth time in their last six games. What’s of note as well, is that four of those five losses have come after regulation.

Jimmy Vesey – The Harvard alum has quietly had himself a nice season for David Quinn and the Rangers. Vesey notched his tenth goal of the season tonight, depositing a perfect feed from Kevin Hayes into the Columbus net. Vesey has done a nice job in the Rangers bottom-six this season as he’s found some nice chemistry with rookie center Brett Howden, and the currently injured Jesper Fast. If Vesey can continue to contribute offensively, his stock within the organization will rise as the team rebuilds.

Chris Kreider – The Rangers goal-scoring leader continued on with his stellar offensive season as he notched the second and third goals of the game for the Blueshirts. Kreider scored his 18th of the campaign from right in front of Joonas Korpisalo as he redirected Mats Zuccarello’s point shot with the Rangers on the man-advantage.

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For an encore, Kreider was the beneficiary of a little bit of puck luck, and a nice rush up the ice by defenseman Brady Skjei. After Skjei entered the Columbus zone, his pass attempt to the outside deflected off the Columbus player and laid flat for Kreider, who sniped his 19th of the season. Kreider has been fantastic playing for David Quinn this season as he’s started to show his full potential that Rangers fans have been waiting to see.

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Kevin Hayes – Playing on a one-year bridge deal, Hayes has shown the Rangers why he’s worth the money he is seeking. Hayes picked up two more points to extend his points streak to eight consecutive games. Hayes has 32 points this season and, like Kreider, is on pace for his best offensive season.

It wasn’t all rainbows and unicorns for Hayes tonight, however, as his turnover in the first period started the sequence leading to the first Blue Jackets goal. He was also beaten by Pierre-Luc Dubois on the winning goal, but I can give him some slack in the 3v3 OT. Hayes had a solid night, but as he’ll tell you, there are always things to work on.

Henrik Lundqvist – King Henrik made some stellar saves to keep his team in the game. Lundqvist will want the Savard goal back, a wrist hit from just above the circle with no traffic in front.

The tying Columbus goal from Zach Werenski came on a questionable faceoff and redirected off of the leg of Marc Staal and past Lundqvist with 2:20 left in regulation.

Henrik has done everything he can this season to keep the Rangers afloat, even notching an assist on the third Rangers goal. The Blueshirts have had a chance at two points in four of their last five losses but, for whatever the reason, haven’t been able to do it.

Next Game: The Rangers will head to The Music City for a Saturday night contest with the Nashville Predators. Puck drops at 8!

LETS GO RANGERS!!

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