The Columbus Blue Jackets faced the New York Rangers on March 15, 2025, at Nationwide Arena, for their fourth and final meeting of the NHL season. This matchup carried considerable weight as both teams entered the game tied with 70 points, vying for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Unfortunately for the Blue Jackets and their fans, the evening proved to be disappointing as they fell to the Rangers 4-0.
From the get-go, it was clear this was not going to be the Blue Jackets' night. The first period saw the Rangers strike first with a goal from Alexis Lafrenière. The Blue Jackets managed to put together several efforts, but none could find the back of the net. Despite high stakes, they displayed struggles, especially during power plays. The Rangers had taken advantage of the Blue Jackets' poor special teams, scoring two shorthanded goals earlier this month when they last faced off.
Columbus had hoped for more from goalie Daniil Tarasov, who started the game and had previously been impressive against the Rangers, boasting a .951 save percentage from his first two starts against them this season. Those games included his first career NHL shutout, albeit with a painful 1-0 loss. With the pressure mounting, Tarasov's performance seemed underwhelming as the Rangers delivered relentless offensive pressure.
"We had our chances, but it felt like the puck just wouldn't bounce our way," said Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason post-game. He added, "We need to look at how we execute, especially with the man advantage. We can't afford to let opportunities slip by at this stage of the season." Evason's frustrations echoed those of fans and players alike, as the Blue Jackets managed to go 0-for-13 on power plays over the past five games.
Despite bouncing back with two wins prior to this match, the Blue Jackets had entered this game on the heels of two consecutive losses and faced immense pressure to perform. This loss piles onto their existing troubles, as they now find themselves with even less margin for error if they want to secure playoff positioning. The playoff ramifications of the game were significant: if the Blue Jackets had defeated the Rangers, their playoff chances would have surged by 8.5%. Instead, they now sit with diminished hopes, needing results to go their way.
The Rangers' victory resonates with significance as well. Igor Shesterkin, their all-star goalie, performed admirably, especially considering he had experienced some inconsistency leading up to this game. The Ranger's forward Vincent Trocheck added to the scoring tally, sealing the game with his goal. The Rangers, as noted, lead the NHL with 13 shorthanded goals, showcasing their special teams' effectiveness. Whenever they faced adversity, they came back strong—something the Blue Jackets would need to emulate.
Saturday's match was not only significant for the current standings but also marked Kirill Marchenko's 200th career NHL game. Marchenko has been noted for his impressive contributions this season, already tallying 25 goals and 37 assists to date. This milestone game would have been more memorable had the outcome been favorable. Nonetheless, Marchenko's achievements reflect both personal and team growth throughout the season, even amid challenging circumstances.
The buildup to the game didn't disappoint, as fans filled Nationwide Arena, hoping for what would have been another thrilling encounter between these two Metro division rivals. Known for their past fiery matches, this one had all the anticipation attached, not just due to playoff stakes but also because of what is at stake for both franchises as the regular season winds down.
After the final buzzer, the players of both teams were left to grapple with what the results meant. The Rangers departed with renewed momentum, increasing their playoff odds, which now sit favorably at approximately 66.7% according to MoneyPuck's projections. Conversely, the Blue Jackets, with dwindling hopes for playoff contention, must regroup and focus on their next challenges.
Looking forward, the Blue Jackets' supporters can only hope their team corrects course before it's too late. Addressing their special teams and executing on power plays will be pivotal as the NHL postseason grows closer. With not much time left, this period is undeniably crunch time for the roster. Fans remain fervently hopeful, as with every game ahead, it remains do-or-die concerning their playoff aspirations.
Next, the Blue Jackets will need all hands on deck as they approach their upcoming fixtures. Every game now requires heightened focus and maximized efforts, especially knowing their position. With this loss fresh on their minds, the team has ample incentive to pull together, find their rhythm once more, and give their loyal fans reason to believe.