The Columbus Blue Jackets search for early season consistency continued vs the New York Rangers. The Blue Jackets fell 4-2 to the Philadelphia Flyers, Thursday night in the team's home opener. The Rangers fresh off a 5-1 drubbing of the Buffalo Sabers offered a serious early-season test for Columbus.
In the first period, the Rangers struck early with a goal off the stick of Erik Gustafsson. The Blue Jackets played with a better pace at the start of the game. The team caught a beak as the Rangers ' second goal was called off due to an offsides call. Boone Jenner would tie things up at the 10:24 mark of the first period. With assists from Johnny Gaudreau and Kirill Marchenko. The makes three assists in four periods of hockey for Marchenko.
The Rangers called offsides again make the Blue Jackets 2-0 on challenges in the young season. The Blue Jackets went on the power play thanks to a tripping call on the Ranger's Adam Fox. Boone Jenner scored a power-play goal putting Columbus up 2-1, for Jenner it was his second goal of the game. The Blue Jackets ended the first period on the penalty kill.
The Blue Jackets started the second period by killing off the penalty. The 7:30 mark saw Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner score a hat trick with his third goal of the evening giving Columbus a 3-1 lead. Moments later rookie defenseman David Jiricek who was recalled for the injured Zach Werenski netted his first goal and a career first goal.
Columbus continued to play at a good pace throughout the second period. The team headed to the locker room up 4-1 after the second period. Credit has to be given to head coach Pascal Vincent who had his team focused and ready. The Blue Jackets were able to have good chemistry on the lines and Elvis Merzlikings looked more comfortable between the pipes.
The Blue Jackets needed to seal the deal as the third period started. Merzlikins was forced to exit the game due to illness, Spencer Martin played the entire third period for Columbus and faced 17 shots stopping 15 of them. The Rangers drew closer with their second goal this time Will Cuylle sniped it home.
Justin Danforth would score the fifth goal of the night for the Blue Jackets who won 5-3. The team played much better against a team with some serious firepower.
