In Columbus, Artemi Panarin scored in the second period to give the New York Rangers a 3-1 lead over the Blue Jackets. It would prove to be the game-winner in a 3-2 decision over Columbus.
Panarin was making his return to Columbus after leaving for New York on free agency day in July.
“It was a great few years for me with the team and in the city,” Panarin said. “I [enjoyed it], but [anger] in the game from the fans, that’s OK.”
Alexandar Georgiev made 45 saves to get the win.
Cam Atkinson gave the Jackets a 1-0 lead, and Seth Jones made it close in the third period.
Columbus outshot New York, 47-19.
“That’s the disappointing part of this,” Nick Foligno said. “It isn’t an effort thing. We’ve got to bury our opportunities, and I’m also tired of hearing about, ‘We’ve got to score more.’
“There’s a process to it. That’s the end result. We’ve got to remain positive in the process, understanding how we’re going to do that.”
Panarin’s goal came on a bad line change for the Blue Jackets.
“Two guys diving into the bench on Panarin’s goal,” Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said. “It’s just an awful change by [Alexander Wennberg] and [Riley Nash].”
Brendan Lemieux goal from the slot knotted the game at 1-1, it came with just eight seconds left in the first period.
“A bad change goal and give up a goal in the last minute. We just don’t have any room for error,” Tortorella said. “When you’re not scoring, you can’t give free ones.”
Jacob Trouba scored on the power play for the Rangers for a 2-1 lead in the middle frame.
“If you want to be a playoff team your goalie’s got to steal some games and we’ve had a couple, at least two off the top of my head,” Trouba said. “Tonight was one of them. You don’t want to do that all the time but it’s nice to steal one.”
[WATCH: All Rangers vs. Blue Jackets highlights]
Joonas Korpisalo made 16 saves in the loss.
“There always is (emotion),” Foligno said. “You know what? That ship has sailed for us a long time ago. That’s not a disrespect to Artemi. He’s with a new team for a while and we’re trying to figure ourselves out here.”
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