Take a deep breath.
The Blue Jackets, for the third straight year, are on to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
And it should come as no surprise that it wasn't easy.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | SO | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLUE JACKETS | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| RANGERS | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
They were pushed to the limit by the New York Rangers, but despite some late adversity, hung in there and punched their ticket with a 3-2 shootout win at Madison Square Garden.
Artemi Panarin scored the go-ahead goal in the third period, and also the game-deciding shootout goal, to clinch a spot for the Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky was excellent between the pipes and gave Columbus a chance down the stretch as the Rangers continued to push.
AND THE BENCH GOES WILDDDDDDDDD.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/kb3Opdr4FW
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) April 6, 2019
Panarin's goal had the Blue Jackets ahead until the dying seconds of regulation, but the Rangers didn't quit. Pavel Buchnevich scored to tie the game, 2-2, with 6.1 seconds left in regulation, and after no damage done in overtime, it was on to the shootout. Bobrovsky was a perfect 3-for-3 and Panarin's goal was the lone tally.
The Bread winner. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/V7ESr4rUM5
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) April 6, 2019
Injury Update
Defenseman Ryan Murray missed his 22nd game in a row with an upper body injury. Fellow blueliner Adam McQuaid is day-to-day with what's believed to be a concussion suffered against Montreal last week.
Next Up
The Blue Jackets conclude the regular season with a Saturday night matchup against the Ottawa Senators. Game time is 7 p.m. ET at Canadian Tire Centre.
