Final Score: Blue Jackets 5 – Rangers 2

Game Summary

The bye-week may have been the best thing to happen for the Jackets. Fresh off of steamrolling the Islanders they traveled to New York to take on the Rangers. They entered the game one point back of the Rangers for third in the Metro and left New York with two points and third place in the division after a 5-2 win.

The Jackets did not play as sound of game as they did against the Isles but they were on a back-to-back so some fatigue and sloppiness was to be expected. Alexander Wennberg who had two assists yesterday was back at again but this time had two goals.

A lot happening early, Alex Wennberg tips in the goal to make it 1-0. Some sublime passing here. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/gYGoIU82lk

— Buckeye State Hockey (@BuckeyeStHockey) February 26, 2017

He makes a nice play here to tip home the David Savard point shot. Wennbergs’s second goal really highlighted the sloppiness from both teams.

Here is the full sequence on the Wennberg goal. Chaos all over the ice. Bjorkstrand in the middle holding steady. 3-1 #CBJ pic.twitter.com/HOZG342jzh

— Buckeye State Hockey (@BuckeyeStHockey) February 26, 2017

Those two goals give Wennberg six points in his last three games and eight in his last five. That pushes him over 50 points on the season. If there were any doubts about the legitimacy of him being a first line centre he has put it all to rest with the season he’s having.

Also having two points in the game was Oliver Bjorkstrand. He assisted on both Wennberg goals. He has been quite good since his recall, with two goals (plus that disallowed goal in Pittsburgh) and two assists in five games. He has been huge for the Jackets as they deal with injuries to Matt Calvert and Lukas Sedlak.

Cam Atkinson was also had the hot stick, scoring two goals of his own. The first came on the power play:

Cam Atkinson's 28th goal of the year and his 10th on the power play. Jackets are ahead 2-1. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/SULlEC31s1

— Buckeye State Hockey (@BuckeyeStHockey) February 26, 2017

It’s a bit of a broken play but a heads up move by Sam Gagner to make the pass to Atkinson. Atkinson makes a nice little move in the slot and rips it. His second goal was also ripped. Brandon Dubinsky makes a good play in the neutral zone to strip the puck and send to Atkinson.

Atkinson with his second goal of the night. What a play to beat Lundqvist. Great work from Dubinsky as well. 4-1 Jackets. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/LgMsKcjKog

— Buckeye State Hockey (@BuckeyeStHockey) February 27, 2017

Finally Josh Anderson kept his hot streak going with this third goal in two games. William Karlsson makes a great feed from behind the net and Anderson is right there to put it away.

Josh Anderson scores his 14th late! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/JqXLrp4VHm

— ColumbusBlueJackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) February 27, 2017

The Jackets have one more game before the deadline on Tuesday when they take on the Canadiens. It’s unlikely they make a move but who knows.

Stat of the Night

Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.

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