Down goes New York.
The Columbus Blue Jackets scored three second-period goals en route to a 4-2 win on Sunday night to defeat the New York Rangers at Nationwide Arena. The Rangers had a franchise-tying 10-game winning streak entering play.
Dmitri Voronkov, Kirill Marchenko, and Jack Roslovic each had two points with a goal and one assist.
Johnny Gaudreau had two assists. Damon Severson and Yegor Chinakhov picked up assists.
Elvis Merzlikins made 38 saves.
Artemi Panarin scored his career-high 33rd goal, and Adam Edstrom scored for the Rangers.
Adam Fox and Matt Rempe each had an assist.
Jonathan Quick has 37 saves.
Newcomer Alex Nylander, acquired in the trade that sent Emil Bemstrom to the Pittsburgh Penguins and a conditional sixth-round draft pick to Columbus, played 11:23 in his Blue Jackets debut. Merzlikins is 2-0-1 against the Rangers this season (2.19 GAA, .943 SV%). He was 0-4-0 before this season.
Streaking Lady Liberty
How about that one by the schedule makers?
A preseason Stanley Cup contender, even those in charge of the schedule probably didn't anticipate the Rangers coming into Nationwide Arena on Sunday riding a franchise-tying 10-game winning streak.
Founded in 1926, the Rangers have never won 11 games in a row. And that quest will have to wait for another time.
The Blue Jackets had to face off with the hottest team in the league on Sunday night and they have a rematch with them on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.
During the Rangers' 10-game winning streak, they outscored opponents 41-19. In six of the 10 wins, they allowed one goal or fewer.
New York entered the day with the best record in the eastern conference, a points percentage difference over the Boston Bruins, and one point off the league-leading Vancouver Canucks.
Perhaps fortunately for Columbus, the Rangers played on Saturday, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1. Igor Shesterkin made the start, paving the way for Quick on Sunday. New York came in 9-0-0 in the second half of back-to-backs this season.
Rempe Vs Olivier
Rempe has five NHL games under his belt and a fight in three of those games. The 21-year-old, 6-foot-7 seven rookie didn't take long to drop the gloves on Sunday.
He and Mathieu Olivier traded punches at the 2:12 mark of the first period. Before the game on Bally Sports Ohio, Olivier said he did his homework on Rempe. The two were seen talking pregame.
Rangers enforcer Matt Rempe comes to Columbus with a reputation and a willingness to drop the gloves if need be.
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) February 25, 2024
The @BlueJacketsNHL understand they have to keep an eye on Rempe at all times, but are more focused on trying to win the game.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/vhaF9rI7Px
Do you think Mathieu Olivier was ready to throw hands with Matt Rempe? Lordy. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/SmlbfItSsi
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 25, 2024
That fight helped set the tone for the period as Columbus scored at 4:34 thanks to Voronkov, seconds after an expiring power play, with Marchenko and Severson getting the assists. Voronkov is up to 16 goals on the season.
Voronkov is one goal off the rookie lead with is 16th. Marchenko and Severson pick up the assists. pic.twitter.com/nyX24Ax6GU #CBJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 25, 2024
He has goals in two straight, five in his last eight games, and is one goal off the rookie lead. Voronkov led the game with seven shots.
Dmitri Voronkov had six shots on goal in the first period, one off a #CBJ record for a period. Team record for a game is 10. That bears watching.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) February 26, 2024
Three-Goal Second Period
The Blue Jackets scored three second-period goals — two of which were by Russian-born players — with Marchenko scoring his 17th at 18 seconds of the second period.
The electric Russian trio of Marchenko - Voronkov - Chinakhov connected for the second goal of the evening. Only took 18 seconds into the second period. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/PJRnJf6Gd9
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 26, 2024
Roslovic scored the middle goal of the third period, his fourth, to give Columbus a 3-2 lead.
Roslovic from Gaudreau and Jenner. pic.twitter.com/cKtmeAr842 #CBJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 26, 2024
Ivan Provorov scored his fifth goal at 18:35.
Provorov gets in on the act with Roslovic picking up his second point and Gaudreau getting his second assist. pic.twitter.com/uZ4R3YBR07 #CBJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 26, 2024
Per @BallySportsCBUS , #CBJ lead the NHL with 53 goals scored by Russian-born players.
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 26, 2024
Columbus outshot the Rangers 14-8 in the second period, 30-22 through two, and 41-40 for the game. Merzlikins stood tall in the third period as the Rangers outshot the Jackets 18-11.
Garden Rematch
The Blue Jackets will face the Rangers in a rematch at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Blue Jackets are 2-0-1 against the Rangers this season, with the Blue Jackets holding a 5-2 edge in points. The home team has won each game.
