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Game 46 Recap: Igor Shesterkin outduels Daniil Tarasov, CBJ fall 1-0 in shootout

Jan 18, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Mikael Pyyhtia (82) attempts a shot at New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin (31) while New York Rangers right wing Reilly Smith (91) defends during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images

The Blue Jackets begin their toughest stretch of the season, with eight of the next nine games on the road, including five playoff teams, in Madison Square Garden. Columbus entered the game in the East’s final playoff spot, with the resurging Rangers only five points behind. Kinda an important game.

First Period

The Rangers started the game on the front foot, forechecking the Jackets hard and trying to create some mistakes out of the young club. However, the Jackets were able to push back, and ended the period with a commanding 15-4 lead in shots on goal. The CBJ also had the best chance of the period, with Kent Johnson finding Cole Sillinger in the slot, and Igor Shesterkin finding a way to get his toe on Cole’s tap-in attempt. It was more even than that, though, with New York having several shots go off the iron.

There was a long stretch early on without a whistle, lasting 6:40 seconds before Adam Fantilli got nabbed for slashing. The Rangers had a decent chance go off the post, but other than that were able to be reigned in by Columbus’ penalty kill. Late in the period, the Jackets got their first powerplay, but were unable to convert.

That was pretty much it for the first 20 minutes. Both teams had their fair amount of opportunities, with Daniil Tarasov and Igor Shesterkin being the game’s best players, but few denials that felt like they were robberies.

Second Period

The second period was almost the mirror of the first, with the Rangers putting on pressure and leading in shots (11 to 5), but by no means dominating. Kent Johnson had a couple of decent looks denied by Shesterkin, Sean Kuraly got a delayed penalty for high sticking but not the actual penalty, and Denton Mateychuk had a good shift about 2/3rds of the way in. Not the best period, as you’d like to see the Jackets be a bit more controlling of the game’s pace, but no real standout moments aside from Tarasov and Shesterkin going head to head.

Third Period

After two periods of defense-focused hockey, the third period started with 90 seconds of chaos. Will Cuylle found himself wide open in the slot, but wasn’t able to convert, before Fantilli got a rush on a 2-on-1. Puck fired wide. After that it was back to business as usual, with both teams combining for only 10 shots on goal the entire period.

With 9:24 to go, Mika Zibanejad got nabbed for holding. If you want to know how the powerplay went, the Rangers had the better chance. Zibanejad would try to make up for it with a Michigan attempt with about five minutes to go, but he jammed the puck into the side of the net. The period ended with Damon Severson getting wide open down low off a set faceoff play, but Shesterkin was up to the task. Again, even though there were only ten shots, the goalies stole the show once again. Onto overtime!

Overtime/Shootout

The Blue Jackets played this overtime a lot more methodically than we’ve seen so far this season. They earned the first possession in the bonus time, and chose to play it safe, forfeiting the zone and reentering several times, and being patient to allow line changes. Eventually, Zibanejad was able to dismantle the coverage and go on a breakaway, but Tarasov stood tall for the big-time save.

After a flubbed CBJ shot, the Rangers tried to dump-and-chase. ‘Kay. Columbus once again controlled the puck in the back half, up until the very end. Zach Werenski had a rush shot go off the post, and Shesterkin was able to springboard Zibanejad for another breakaway. Tarasov was able to make the save again, and we went to the shootout.

Artemi Panarin was able to outwait Tarasov, but sent his shot off the post.
Kent Johnson: Saved
Vincent Trochek got Tarasov to bite on a fake and beat him low blocker.
Fantilli: Shot wide
Zibanejad was stopped for a third time.
Marchenko shot it into Shesterkin’s pads. Rangers win 1-0.

While the winning streak dies at six, the point streak lives on! Excellent games by both Igor Shesterkin and Daniil Tarasov, but the Rangers came ahead in the end. In addition, that loser point broke a brief three-way tie with the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins to put the Jackets back in possession of the East’s top wildcard. Back at it Monday at 7:30 to face the Islanders, which is the game I’m sure everyone in Columbus will pay attention to.

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