COLUMBUS — Jaroslav Halak made 24 saves for the New York Rangers in a 3-1 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on Monday.
Halak has won four straight starts after starting the season 1-6-1.
“He made some really big saves for us tonight,” the Rangers forward Barclay Goodrow said. “In the last five minutes there were a few pucks that could have gone in that he didn’t let in. It was great to see.”
Goodrow had a goal and an assist, and Kaapo Kakko had two assists for the Rangers (25-13-7), who were coming off a 2-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday.
“I think everyone knows at this point what we have to do, (and that’s) what we do well, the things that make us successful,” New York forward Mika Zibanejad said. “We didn’t do a whole lot of that [against Montreal]”
Andrew Peeke scored, and Elvis Merzlikins made 30 saves for the Blue Jackets (13-28-2), who have lost four of five.
“Nobody had any gas,” Columbus coach Brad Larsen said. “We had a day off, there is no excuse. We played like we got in at 4 am. I have no idea why. It blows my mind.
“If you’re not skating, you’re chasing, and when you’re chasing, you’re taking penalties. It’s pretty simple.”
Video: NYR@CBJ: Zibanejad nets a goal from the circle
Zibanejad scored his 20th of the season to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead at 12:39 of the first period. He scored glove side from the left circle through the legs of Blue Jackets defenseman Tim Berni during a 4-on-4.
Goodrow made it 2-0 with a power-play goal at 19:02, redirecting K’Andre Miller‘s point shot.
Vitaly Kravtsov extended the lead to 3-0 at 11:47 of the second period when he one-timed a pass from Filip Chytil in front. It was Kravtsov’s first goal since Dec. 18 (12 games).
“That’s when we’re most dangerous, when we’re defending hard in the [defensive] zone and competing,” Goodrow said. “Ultimately it leads to scoring chances the other way.”
New York outshot Columbus 26-12 through two periods and held a 55-23 advantage in attempts.
“We didn’t show up in the first two periods for whatever reason,” Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner said. “We weren’t sharp and we weren’t playing to our strengths. We didn’t give ourselves a chance in the first two periods.”
Video: NYR@CBJ: Goodrow tips in PPG to extend Rangers’ lead
Peeke cut it to 3-1 at 1:21 of the third period, skating into a pass Gustav Nyquist and scoring blocker side from the top of the right circle.
“The first two periods we were pretty dominant, and I loved the way we played,” Rangers coach Gerard Gallant said. “They got that goal early in the third period, and it puts a little scare into you. We played well and we competed real hard tonight. I like the win.”
The Blue Jackets made a late push with seven shots on goal in the final two minutes of regulation, which included a power play for 22 seconds, but they couldn’t get another goal.
“I don’t think anyone enjoyed how we started,” Peeke said. “I don’t really have the words for it. You can’t go down to a team like that 3-0.
“Elvis was our best player tonight. He kept us in it all game long.”
NOTES: Zibanejad’s 20-goal season is his sixth straight. Only four players in Rangers history have had a longer run: Jean Ratelle (eight), Andy Bathgate (seven), Vic Hadfield (seven), and Rod Gilbert (seven). … New York forward Vincent Trocheck played in his 600th NHL game. … Rangers forward Chris Kreider missed his third straight game with an upper-body injury. … Blue Jackets goalie Joonas Korpisalo missed his second straight game for personal reasons.
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