COLUMBUS, Ohio — Game No. 80 of 82 was a feel-good win for the Rangers, who are just over a week away from the start of the postseason.
A 4-0 victory over the last-place Blue Jackets, a cohesive performance and no injury scares were about all they could ask for Saturday night at Nationwide Arena, where a healthy number of Rangers fans showed up to catch the club’s final road game of the regular season.
Defeating a depleted and tanking team like the Blue Jackets wasn’t as much of a confidence-booster as the Rangers’ riveting win over the Lightning earlier in the week, but it’s a lot better than the possible effects of losing to such a club at this point in the season.
There was never a moment when the Rangers looked in danger of falling victim to that possibility.
“Obviously, we want to get ready for the playoffs and try to create good habits,” said Mika Zibanejad, who collected two assists. “But, also, winning keeps the mood up. That’s what we want to keep doing the next two games here. Try to get ourselves ready for the playoffs.”
It was another take-care-of-business, get-in-and-get-out-unscathed kind of night.
Chris Kreider celebrates after scoring during the Rangers’ win over the Blue Jackets on April 8. AP
And that’s exactly what the Rangers did.
Goalie Igor Shesterkin did his part by recording his third shutout of the season and his first since March 18, with 20 saves.
The Rangers dressed their presumed playoff lineup Saturday night for the first time since March 21.
Since Patrick Kane became a Ranger, the team has been without either Ryan Lindgren (shoulder injury) or the 34-year-old wing, who missed the previous two games with a lower-body injury.
Igor Shesterkin makes a save during the Rangers’ win over the Blue Jackets on April 8. AP
As a result, the Rangers haven’t had much ice time to test drive their full-strength lineup.
Kane returned to the ice Saturday and recorded an assist while skating on the first line, alongside Zibanejad and Chris Kreider.
Taking into consideration that they were facing the Blue Jackets, who are tied with the Ducks for last in the NHL with just 56 points, no one would’ve known this was just the second time the Rangers’ 18-skater personnel played together.
The Rangers looked calm, cool and collected from the puck drop.
The Rangers got everything they could ask for in their win over the Blue Jackets on April 8. USA TODAY Sports
They built a 2-0 lead in the first period behind goals from Jimmy Vesey and Kreider.
Columbus had its looks, but never truly threatened.
Niko Mikkola then scored his first goal of the season and his first as a Ranger to make it 3-0 five minutes into the third period, before Vincent Trocheck capped the scoring later in the final frame.
“There’s definitely another level that we’re going to get to come next week,” Barclay Goodrow said. “It’s an exciting time. We’ve kind of known where we’re going to finish for a while now. I think it’s exciting to play these last two games and get into the playoffs. I think we’re all looking forward to that.”
The Rangers now have two games left on their regular-season schedule, Monday against the Sabres and Thursday against the Maple Leafs.
The playoff countdown ticks on.
Rangers cruise past bottom-dwelling Blue Jackets for feel-good win
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