Blue Jackets Lose Fifth in a Row, Fall to New York Rangers 3-4

The “Blue Jackets” lost to the New York “Rangers” with the result 3:4 (1:1, 2:1, 0:1, 0:0, 0:1), losing the fifth match in a row.

Merzlikin, who spent the previous two games of the Columbus team on the bench, was recognized as the third star of the match.

The Blue Jackets took the lead late in the first period when Justin Danforth put the puck in the home goal, but Chris Kreider tied the game less than two minutes before the break.

In the middle of the second period, “Rangers” achieved a one-goal lead by Alexis Lafreniere. The Blue Jackets responded with two goals in less than two minutes, goals from Edam Fantili and Sean Kuraly, and took the lead.

The New York team broke the tie with just 11 seconds left in regulation when Merzlikin was beaten by Lafreniere for the second time.

As the overtime ended without a goal, the Latvian goalkeeper saved Artjom Panarin and Mika Zibanejad’s shots in the post-game shootout, but Lafrenier sent the puck into the goal guarded by Merzlikin and gave the New York team their third consecutive success.

In the postgame series of shots, all three shots of the Blue Jackets’ hockey players were saved by Jonathan Quick, who handled a total of 25 pucks thrown at the goal he was guarding throughout the match and was recognized as the second star of the game.

With 12 points in 15 matches, the Blue Jackets are in last place in the 16-team competition in the Eastern Conference. The Columbus team will play their next match on Tuesday, when they host the Pittsburgh “Penguins”.