On one hand, John Tortorella had to be pleased with 30-ish minutes of solid hockey and a persistent effort in the Blue Jackets’ first game back from the All-Star break. On the other hand, the third period was reminiscent of their sloppy play in recent games and it allowed the Rangers to make a game out of what should have been a blowout.
Nevertheless, it’s a regulation win against a division opponent and a much-needed one at that. The Blue Jackets snapped a two-game skid with a 6-4 win over the Rangers at Madison Square Garden, ensuring they would again avoid a three-game losing streak (they’ve yet to have one this season) and boosted their record to 33-12-4.
The third period was, in a word, survival.
An explosive second period of four goals gave the Blue Jackets a commanding 5-0 lead after two periods. They seemed in total control despite not being on their game, and it was a simple approach: they put pucks upon pucks toward the net, eventually chasing Henrik Lundqvist after three goals and then tacking three more on Antti Raanta’s account.
But once things went a little wayward in the third period, it was downhill for the Rangers and the Blue Jackets did whatever they could not to take on water.
“I’m a little bothered by what happened there (in the third period),” captain Nick Foligno said. “It’s a 6-0 game. They should have no life. I did not like our answer to a couple of those things. That was not the way anyone wants to come in here feeling after a win.”
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