Columbus Blue Jackets Rout Rangers 7-3 in Crucial Eastern Conference Clash

In a critical Eastern Conference matchup, the New York Rangers suffered a devastating 7-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden, marking their third consecutive defeat. Despite a strong moment where the Rangers tied the game 3-3 with two short-handed goals, they allowed four unanswered goals, showcasing significant defensive breakdowns. Adam Fantilli starred for the Blue Jackets with a hat trick, while Jonathan Quick struggled in goal for New York, stopping only 20 of 27 shots. The Rangers' recent struggles have kept them outside of playoff contention, remaining one point behind the Senators for the second wild card. This defeat followed a previous loss to the Senators, where they squandered a two-goal lead in the third period. Columbus' victory allowed them to leapfrog the Senators and claim the first wild card position in the East, setting the stage for a rematch on March 15.