Post Battle #49 vs. the New York Rangers (Blue Jackets)

Blue Jackets

Post Battle #49 vs. the New York Rangers

By Paul Berthelot

Feb 1, 2017 • 7:37 am

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Final Score: Blue Jackets 6 – Rangers 4

Game Summary

It looks like the break did the Jackets well. They came out and put up six goals on the Rangers in their building and in the process chases starter Henrik Lundqvist. They even got over the hurdle of the second period and scored four goals in the frame. Despite all the positives this was not the most well-played game. Columbus allowed four third period goals, and turned a six goal blowout into a frustrating 6-4 win.

I understand it was 6-0 in the third period but Columbus played really poorly in the period. They allowed the Rangers to get 19 shots and a 75% Corsi. This type of strategy to defend a lead in third doesn’t work and is something the Jackets don’t do very often. They do a good job at keeping their foot on the gas. Clearly with a six goal lead they thought it was enough and could afford to sit back, but the Rangers showed again that regardless of lead that strategy is a poor one.

The Jackets started the game off slow picked things up after Seth Jones scored on the Jackets first shot.

Jones is just throwing this on net, but it finds a lane and gets through Lundqvist. The All-Star defencemen was having himself a night as he also scored the Jackets fourth goal of the game.

Scott Hartnell makes a great pass to hit Jones who had joined the rush. Jones was hot coming into the All-Star break and he does not look to be slowing down anytime soon. This was his third multi-point game is his last four.

Jones was one of four Jackets to have a multi-point game. Brandon Saad had a goal and an assist, recoding his 10th multi-point game of the season.

That was Saad’s 100th goal of his career and it came off a sick feed from Alexander Wennberg. Wennberg opens himself up so that he can either pass or shoot that puck. He has two clear options and can cross up the defence with either one. He makes the right decision as Saad rips home the goal.

That was the second goal of the game; Wennberg scored the third goal, scoring off a rebound on a shot from Ryan Murray.

This is not a goal Wennberg typically scores. When he’s not passing, he usually shooting to create rebounds like that. Here is in the perfect spot to bury the rebound. Saad and Wennberg got together again and set up Nick Folingo for his 18th goal of the year.

This is a pretty passing play and really highlights the chemistry this trio have. They work in unison and always seem to know where the other two are on the ice. This was also some poor defensive zone coverage by the Rangers. There are three players on Saad leaving Wennberg and then Folingo wide open.

Matt Calvert scored the sixth goal for the Jackets, tipping home a Zach Werenski shot.

That was Werenski’s second assist of the game, giving him 31 points on the season. He is just the sixth Blue Jackets rookie to hit 30 points and with 32 games left in the season he has a chance to take over Rick Nash for top spot on the list.

Stat of the Night

Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.

You can follow me on Twitter @PaulBerthelot

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