You wanted entertainment? You got it.
The Blue Jackets and New York Rangers usually play wild, frenetic games. This one was no different.
It took a shootout, the Blue Jackets' first of the season, and the Rangers emerged victorious on a Jimmy Vesey goal in the fifth round. Despite a 38-19 shot disadvantage and being outplayed for long stretches, the Rangers survived and won in the skills contest.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | SO | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLUE JACKETS | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| RANGERS | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
Joonas Korpisalo was shaky at times, and Alexandar Georgiev was unspectacular at the other end. Korpisalo struggled in the shootout after the Blue Jackets had ample chances to win the game in overtime, but they'll take the point considering how this game could've unraveled in the second period.
The first 40 minutes were largely "hair on fire" hockey. Six second-period goals brought Nationwide Arena to life, and for a minute, it looked as though the Blue Jackets were going to really put their foot down. Facing a 3-1 deficit, they got a pair of goals from Pierre-Luc Dubois and Nick Foligno to pull into a 3-3 tie, then took the lead minutes later on Alexander Wennberg's shorthanded goal – his first goal of the season.
After Columbus killed that penalty, Cam Atkinson was robbed point-blank by Alexandar Georgiev's glove on what would've been the 5-3 goal. On the ensuing shift, the Blue Jackets suffered another defensive lapse and Vesey made it a 4-4 game headed to the third period.
Injury Update
Atkinson returned after a one-game absence due to illness. He missed Friday night's 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals.
Next Up
The Blue Jackets are off to Dallas for their second and final meeting with the Stars, a Monday night showdown at American Airlines Center.
