The Columbus Blue Jackets made headlines with their impressive 7-3 victory over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, March 9, 2025. With just 20 games left in the NHL season, every match carries high stakes, and the Blue Jackets proved their mettle with this commanding win.
Adam Fantilli shone brightest for Columbus, scoring his second hat trick of the season. Meanwhile, Mathieu Olivier provided substantial support with two goals, helping the Blue Jackets secure valuable points as they fight for playoff positioning. This win also placed them tantalizingly close—just four points behind the New Jersey Devils for third place in the Metropolitan Division, solidifying their hold on the top wild card spot with 70 points.
The first period kicked off dramatically with Justin Danforth netting the opening goal. Danforth's seventh goal of the season at just 5:56 was made possible by Zach Werenski's sublime assist, as he maneuvered past New York defenseman Carson Soucy before delivering the perfect pass. Werenski's two assists also enabled him to become the franchise’s all-time assists leader, surpassing Rick Nash with his 260th career assist.
Just as the Blue Jackets seemed to be gaining control, the Rangers equalized with Artemi Panarin's deft tip-in goal, his 28th of the season, coming at 19:31. With his goal, Panarin extended his scoring streak to five games, drawing level just before the first intermission.
The second period was where the game truly came alive. Fantilli, with his exceptional skills, scored two goals within 26 seconds of each other early on. The first goal came at 3:07, showcasing his quick stick work as he maneuvered through the Rangers' defense to regain the lead at 2-1. Just moments later, at 3:33, he struck again, converting a pass from Dmitri Voronkov to make it 3-1.
Despite building momentum, the Blue Jackets faltered momentarily. The Rangers capitalized on Pittsburgh's defensive lapses, scoring two shorthanded goals to dramatically tie the game at 3-3. The first came from Braden Schneider and followed quickly by Chris Kreider's goal, both indicating severe defensive lapses from Columbus.
Rather than faltering, the Blue Jackets rebounded impressively. Olivier scored at 17:03 to recapture the lead at 4-3, finishing off another impressive set-up from Werenski. Just over 1 minute later, Dante Fabbro fired home to extend the lead to 5-3, sending the teams to the locker room with Columbus firmly in control.
Fantilli's hat trick was sealed with just over eight minutes spent on the clock of the third period. His final goal came after Olivier's effort was deflected off Rangers’ Zac Jones, solidifying the Blue Jackets' lead at 7-3. This achievement made him the youngest player, at 20 years and 148 days, to record multiple hat tricks in the same season for the franchise.
Lasting impressions left by Daniil Tarasov in goal cannot be overlooked, as he secured 32 saves throughout the game, adding to the Bedard-led rotation of goalies for the season. Tarasov's consistency has become pivotal during this playoff push, and he remains firm against popular criticisms of the Blue Jackets' defensive strategies.
On the other side, Rangers’ Jonathan Quick, who played the entire game, faced 27 shots and allowed seven goals, exiting the game to vocal displeasure from the disappointed home crowd. This performance is not only indicative of the Rangers' struggle but also emphasizes the steep mountain they must climb if they are to regain playoff contention.
The Blue Jackets will look to build upon this success as they head to play the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night, March 11, 2025. This battle will hold significant weight as both teams vie for positioning within the highly competitive Metropolitan Division.
New York, on the other hand, has now lost three consecutive games (0-1-2) and remains stagnant at ninth place within the Eastern Conference, fighting to restore their place among playoff contenders. Their match against the Winnipeg Jets on March 11 promises to be another test of character for the team.
This thrilling game serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of the NHL as teams jockey for their places at the end of the regular season. The Blue Jackets will carry this momentum forward, hopeful for more stellar performances from Fantilli, Werenski, and the team as they make their final push for playoff contention.