Blue Jackets Top Rangers 6-3, Reach Third in Division

Columbus, Ohio - Adam Fantilli scored twice, including an empty-net goal in the final minutes, to lead the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 6-3 victory over the New York Rangers on Thursday night, a result that propelled Columbus into third place in the Metropolitan Division and kept their playoff hopes alive.

The win extended Columbus's points streak to 11 games, matching their longest of the season, and came on the heels of the New York Islanders' 3-2 loss to Ottawa, allowing the Blue Jackets to tie New York for 79 points with two games in hand. With just over a month left in the regular season, Columbus sits one point behind the Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings for the Eastern Conference's wild-card spots, positioning them for their first postseason appearance since 2020.

The game began with Vincent Trocheck giving the Rangers a 1-0 lead at 5:41 of the first period on a shorthanded breakaway, capitalizing on a turnover by Columbus defenseman Zach Werenski. But Isac Lundestrom tied it later in the frame with a slot shot from a scrum. Conor Garland then put Columbus ahead 2-1 with 59 seconds left, as his centering pass deflected off Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider and past...