The New York Rangers are on fire, and their latest victory is a testament to their resilience and skill. But here's where it gets exciting: In a thrilling showdown, the Rangers clinched their third consecutive win, outlasting the Columbus Blue Jackets in a nail-biting shootout, 2–1, on Saturday night in Columbus, Ohio. This win not only solidifies their dominance on the road—marking their NHL-leading ninth away victory—but also highlights their ability to thrive under pressure.
J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck emerged as the shootout heroes, securing the win for the Rangers, who have now won six straight road games and three overall. Mika Zibanejad continued his hot streak, scoring in regulation and extending his point streak to three games. His goal came at 6:30 in the second period during the game’s first power play, showcasing his knack for capitalizing on opportunities.
Igor Shesterkin was a wall in net, stopping 24 shots and helping the Rangers secure their third straight win at Nationwide Arena, dating back to last season. On the other side, Dmitri Voronkov scored for the Blue Jackets, who had been riding a three-game home winning streak. Goaltender Jet Greaves made 31 saves in a valiant effort, marking coach Dean Evason’s 100th game behind the Columbus bench.
And this is the part most people miss: The game’s momentum shifted dramatically when Mathieu Olivier dropped the gloves with Sam Carrick at 15:57 of the second period. Up until that point, Columbus hadn’t recorded a shot on goal for seven minutes. The fight seemed to ignite the Blue Jackets, as just 37 seconds later, Voronkov tied the game with a power-play goal off a rebound from Zach Werenski’s shot. Kirill Marchenko’s assist on the play extended his impressive point streak to 11 games.
Despite being outshot for much of the game, Columbus forced it into overtime, where both teams battled fiercely. Ultimately, it was Miller who sealed the deal in the shootout, beating Greaves in the final round to secure the win for New York.
Controversial question to spark debate: Is the Rangers’ road success a sign of true championship potential, or are they simply capitalizing on weaker opponents? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! For more insights, check out the latest NHL standings here and dive into the Rangers’ stats here.
