Final Score: Blue Jackets 4 – Rangers 2
Game Summary
For the second time in two games the Jackets beat one of the top teams in the Metro Division, this time knocking off the division leading New York Rangers. The Jackets again played a very strong team game against a strong offensive team. The Rangers came into this game leading the NHL in goals per game. The Jackets did well to limit their chances allowing just three first period shots and 27 in the game.
At 5 on 5 the Jackets did well controlling the play with a 52.87% Corsi. On the season the Jackets sit at 27th in the league with a 46.89% Corsi, but games like the last two are encouraging that this could be changing.
William Karlsson kicked off the scoring with his third goal of the season. He made a nice play to steal Rangers breakout pass and ripped it past Henrik Lundqvist.
.@WKarlsson71 has the #CBJ on top after one! pic.twitter.com/S1aTmE7srP
— ColumbusBlueJackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 19, 2016
Karlsson is now riding a career high three game point streak with four points in his last three games. Karlsson is really emerging as a strong two-way player for the Blue Jackets. He has continued to be a strong defensive player for John Tortorella, leading all forwards in short-handed ice-time this season, and is showing more offensive upside each game.
Sam Gagner continued his hot play scoring another goal. He released a really nice shot from the high slot, Lundqvist got a big piece of it, but not enough to keep it from the net.
Sam Gagner now leads the #CBJ in goals! pic.twitter.com/CNDZgMDXP9
— ColumbusBlueJackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 19, 2016
Gagner now leads the team with seven goals. He is riding a four game point streak with four goals and an assist over that stretch.
A very scary moment happened in the second. Matt Calvert took a shot to the face and was gushing blood all over the ice. He was able to leave under his own power and had to go get stitched up. At the time he was questionable to return. 36 stiches later, he returned in the third period and made his presence felt, scoring the biggest goal for the Blue Jackets this season.
Matt Calvert:
— ColumbusBlueJackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 19, 2016
-takes puck to face
-gets stitches
-scores shorthanded goal#CBJ pic.twitter.com/PrQuAtT33Y
Not only was that the game winning goal, it was also short-handed against one of the best goalies in the league. That goal gave the Jackets a huge two points, putting them into in a Wild Card position.
Stat of the Night
#CBJ is 9-4-2 (best mark in club history through 15 games), including 5-0-0 mark vs. NHL division leaders - NYR, MTL, ANA (2x) and CHI.
— CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) November 19, 2016
Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.
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