Winners, losers from Rangers brutal 7-3 loss to Adam Fantilli, Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets 20-year-old forward had himself a night on the big stage in the Big Apple. Fantilli recorded the second hat trick of his NHL career and surpassed 20 goals (21) on the season. He scored twice in a 23-second span early in the second period to make it 3-1 Blue Jackets. That first goal was a rocket off the rush. The next two came when he found the soft spot in the defense in the slot. He was a force, an impactful player.

This was a throwback to their putrid 4-15-0 stretch in November and December for the Rangers. After playing a largely solid first period, they imploded with terrible defensive coverage and losing puck battles left and right to a hungrier opponent. All of the damage came at even strength, where the Rangers were outscored by a whopping 7-1 margin. It was unsightly, and would’ve been more stunning if we hadn’t seen this act before earlier in the season.

If only the Rangers took more penalties, perhaps they could’ve won this game. The Blue Jackets had one power play all night, starting at 6:13 of the second period, trying to build on a 3-1 lead. Instead, the Rangers scored two short-handed goals in a 42-second span to tie the score, the first time they scored a pair of shorties on the same PK since March 5, 2014. First, Braden Schneider with a blast; then Chris Kreider off a 2-on-0 (!) rush for the Rangers’ League-leading 13th short-handed goal. But they never scored again. Next time, take more penalties Blueshirts!

Listen, the Rangers defensive structure was pathetic and Quick received little help. But at the end of the night, the 39-year-old gave up seven goals on 27 shots. That’s seven times in 17 starts this season that the three-time Stanley Cup winner has allowed five or more. In his defense, there were so many wide-open looks for Columbus on Sunday. Maybe someone should try and find Fantilli in the slot next time?

Not to be overlooked here is the play of Tarasov. Yes, he worked with a cushion most of the game since the Blue Jackets never trailed, but the 25-year-old was very good when called upon. He was sharp on New York’s first two power plays, once holding a 1-0 lead in the first and then in a 1-1 game to start the second. He overcame those two shorties that tied it 3-3 and didn’t allow another goal the rest of the way, including stopping all 16 shots in the third period to finish with 31 saves.

The Rangers did generate some quality chances on the power play, but, again, they failed to score a man (or two, during a 6-on-4 with Quick pulled in the third period) up. They had five power-play shots on goal and finished 0-for-4. The Rangers often set up nicely in the offensive zone, but don’t shoot enough nor do they get enough shots through. They’re 1-for-21 on the PP over the past seven games and 24th in the NHL at 19.7 percent.

Borgen was on ice for two of Columbus’ goals, but was the Rangers only plus player (+1). He was on for both shorties New York scored and an Artemi Panarin goal late in the first period. The 28-year-old defenseman saved a goal in the second period with the Rangers down 3-1, when he made a lunging arm save as he was lying in the crease and Quick was caught out of position. In the third period, he instigated a fight with Luke Kunin after the Blue Jackets forward crushed Vincent Trocheck from behind into the boards.

Werenski again showed why he’s a legitimate Norris Trophy candidate as top defenseman in the NHL. He completely undressed Rangers defenseman Carson Soucy to set up the Blue Jackets first goal. Then with the score tied 3-3 late in the second, he zipped a perfect pass to set up Mathieu Olivier’s go-ahead score. Another pair of assists, now 48 on the season and 260 in his career, most in Blue Jackets history. Only Cale Makar (75) has more points among NHL defensemen than Werenski (68) this season.