New York Rangers power past the Blue Jackets thanks to Kreider and Panarin; Shesterkin okay

The New York Rangers opened the period with some early zone pressure courtesy of the second line. Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome cycled the puck well and worked a great set up in front that Kaapo Kakko fanned on.

That momentum was squandered just 1:14 in when K’Andre Miller went off for hooking. The Rangers killed off the power play, but failed to do the same when Sammy Blais took a cross-checking penalty.

Just 50 seconds after Blais went to the box, Jakub Voracek used Jacob Trouba as screen to beat Igor Shesterkin for the 1-0 lead just 8:59 into the game.

However, with about five minutes left in the period, the Rangers 4th line turned the tide with some pressure in the offensive zone. Then at the 17:28 mark, Strome came down the right boards drawing the defender to him before passing to Adam Fox. The defenseman found a wide open Panarin, who just got it by a diving Elvis Merzlikins to tie the game.

Per TSN’s Stats, the assist by Fox was his 87th, passing Brad Park for 5th most by a Rangers defenseman in his first three seasons. Ron Greschner is up next with 94.

The second period saw a much different Rangers team, who seemed to find their legs after a long layoff. They came in waves applying pressure. Despite a hiccup 6:56 into the period where, Eric Robinson’s great shot gave the Jackets a 2-1 lead, the Blueshirts were relentless.

That paid off big time. It took just 63 seconds for the Rangers to score three times and grab a 4-2 lead in the game.

It started with a great pinch by Jacob Trouba, who came in low passing it to Chris Kreider for a redirect tying it up just 43 second after Robinson scored. For Kreider it was his 10th on the season.

Then Strome made a great play to get the puck from Merzlikins. He settled it down and found Panarin in the slot, who hit the top corner to make it 3-2.

The scoring was capped by Trouba burying a great feed from Barclay Goodrow. It was Trouba’s first of the year, and for Goodrow it was his 100th career point.

When the period was over the Rangers put 19 shots on net with a 28-19 shots advantage. Maybe there was something to all that practice.

The Blueshirts started the third period on the power play and you know what that means. Kreider would tap in a beautiful passing sequence between Fox and Mika Zibanejad for his league leading 7th goal up a man and 12th of the year.

Unfortunately, as the Rangers were cruising to victory, Shesterkin was forced to leave the game.

The incident occurred at the 13:15 mark on a Blue Jackets goal to cut the lead to 5-3.

Defenseman Patrik Nemeth actually pushed Alexandre Texier into his goalie. Texier’s knee hit Shesterkin in the side of the head. Igor laid on the ice for several seconds before coming to his knees.

The call came from the NHL to send Shesterkin to the quiet room. Alexandar Georgiev replaced him to finish the game. He made two saves to hold the fort and get Shesterkin (31 saves) the win.

“He’s fine, he could’ve came back,” Gerard Gallant updated. “He had to do the mandatory 10 to 12 minutes (in the quiet room) but he was ready to come back, As soon as he got to the bench he said ‘I’m fine’ but they’ve got to be safe.”

Notable Rangers

• Barclay Goodrow picked up an assist for career point 100, he has a two game point streak
• Adam Fox two assists gives him 15 points on the season to lead all NHL defensemen
• Artemi Panarin picked up his first multi-goal game this season
• Jacob Trouba recorded his first goal, and first multipoint game of the season
• Chris Kreider now has 12 goals on the season, tied for 2nd in the NHL
• NYR went 1 for 2 on the PP
• NYR outhit the Jackets 28 to 10 and outshot them 41-36
• Dryden Hunt had a team leading 7 shots on goal, Panarin and Trouba had 6 each

Tomorrow (Sunday, Nov. 14): No morning skate. Gerard Gallant media availability at 5:00 PM.

Next Game: Sunday, Nov. 14 vs. New Jersey Devils (7:00 PM ET – TV: MSG, MSG+)

*Schedule subject to change

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