The Rangers completed their back-to-back contests against Pittsburgh and Columbus with a 4-2 win against the Blue Jackets on Thursday. Overall, I thought New York played a solid game, though was not in love with the strategy employed in the third where it looked like the team went into a shell. With their fifth win in six games, the Rangers finally evened their mark at 8-8, and with seemingly winnable games against the Devils and Panthers upcoming, the team could start to made even more headway on their climb up the standings.

Game Highlights:



Several players stepped up last night:

Captain Callahan with his deflection goal on the PP. We all know the passion he brings nightly, but now his line with Carl Hagelin, two goals last night, one which was lucky, and Brad Richards is paying huge dividends offensively.

Hagelin's speed, both offensively and on the forecheck, makes such a huge difference. We saw that on the own-goal, as his pressure in the O-zone created the goal. The first was just a great play by him to read the situation, cut in front of the defenseman and get the deflection. I was not in favor of breaking up the lines, but this trio looks to have great chemistry.

Mats Zuccarello, seven assists in six games. His skill is so evident, especially on the power play. I know I was beating the drum for him to return after last season and even when he was a healthy scratch. Right now, at $1.15 million, he is a heck of a bargain. Plus, when paired with Derek Stepan and Chris Kreider, that trio also has great chemistry and ability to read and play off each other to create chances.

Marc Staal. We talk about how good he is defensively, using his size and positioning. But what we saw on the first goal was his ability to go from defense to offense, as his takeaway created the initial foray up ice and his skating helped create the opportunity on the rush. The arguments we made for him and everyone to wear visors was on display last night. Last year, the puck that hit likely would have sidelined him long-term; this year with the visor, he was right back out there.

Ryan McDonagh. I am running out of superlatives. Seeing big minutes against top lines. Playing the point on the PP. Adding a scoring dimension. I know it's early and we are biased, but our view that he is a Norris Trophy candidate may come true sooner rather than later.

Cam Talbot. Has enabled Alain Vigneault to rest Henrik Lundqvist with minimal concern. Not flashy, just solid, especially positionally. Two goals or less allowed in all of his starts and the team has allowed two or less in nine straight contests.

On the flip side, three negatives:

JT Miller. Took a stupid penalty in the first, resulting in his getting benched. On Ryan Murray's goal, he half-heartedly went out to block the shot and allowed a lane to the net. Saw just one shift in the third. Right now, he would benefit from being sent down and seeing big minutes, but the team's injuries could keep him up here.

Fedor Tyutin's hit on Taylor Pyatt. Another head shot to a Ranger and by a player who really isn't that kind of one. Regardless of that, it looks like Pyatt could have a concussion, and with Rick Nash still out, the team is a bit thin of front. If he is out, Mashinter likely gets back in and it also means that Miller has to stay in the lineup. The NHL has to do a better job of stopping these and punishing offenders. Maybe all headshots are a major and if the player is out the rest of the game, so is the offender. In addition, have a point system, where suspensions escalate base upon frequency and it's clear to all that if you hit the head, here are the consequences.

I understand the team was short-handed in the third and with Miller basically stapled to the bench, they were rotating three lines. But to play that defensive of a style, regardless of argument they were just trying to blunt how hard Columbus came out was a dangerous approach. It worked, but the chipping of pucks to the neutral zone, collapse into the d-zone and lack of rushes was a bit concerning. The end result was still positive.

Up to .500, now keep the ball (puck) rolling.

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