They needed a win.
That’s all that mattered to the Blue Jackets on Saturday at Nationwide Arena despite being outplayed by the New York Rangers in a 5-3 victory. Boone Jenner led the way with his second career hat trick. Rookie David Jiricek scored his first NHL goal in his fifth career game. Elvis Merzlikins and Spencer Martin each withstood a busy night between the pipes for the Blue Jackets (1-1-0), who were doubled in shots (42-21) and nearly doubled in attempts (93-47).
More: Jenner’s hat trick, Jiricek’s first NHL goal lift Columbus Blue Jackets to first win
It was a strange game, including three goals being overturned in the first period — two for the Rangers — and Merzlikins leaving after two periods (illness). It was also a victory for the Blue Jackets, who needed one after falling 4-2 to the Philadelphia Flyers to open the season at home Thursday.
“We had contributions from everyone tonight,” Blue Jackets coach Pascal Vincent said. “We had some big hits, some good (defensive) gaps and forechecks, but Boone is our captain. He takes charge.”
Jenner’s leadership pays off in Columbus Blue Jackets’ win over New York Rangers
The Blue Jackets struggled getting enough bodies to the net for most of the preseason and in the loss to the Flyers. It’s a point of emphasis for Vincent this season and Jenner put on a clinic against the Rangers.
Four of the Jackets’ five goals were scored within a few feet of the net, including all three in Jenner’s second career hat trick. His first was off a rebound in the blue paint, which the Blue Jackets’ captain swept into the net to tie it 1-1 in the first period.
Jenner’s next two were scored with tips after getting his stick on the puck while standing in front of the net. The Blue Jackets need more than one guy to pay that price to be there, but having Jenner is a good start.
“He’s the same every night,” Vincent said. “He’s so consistent. We know what to expect with him. He’s earned the trust with everyone. That’s the one thing you want to have with your players is that trust, and Boone has our trust. We know he’s going to give his best shot every time, even when it’s not a good game.”
Jiricek’s first NHL goal salvages game for Columbus Blue Jackets rookie
Years into the future, Jiricek’s wrist shot under the crossbar against Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin in the second period will be remembered as the highlight of a great performance.
In the shorter term, it was a great salvaging moment in a game the rookie and his defense partner, Ivan Provorov, might want to erase from memory. Playing together for the first time in a regular-season game, in Jiricek’s season debut, they struggled to get the puck away from the Rangers and exit the defensive zone. According to Natural Stat Trick, the Rangers dominated 5-on-5 shot attempts (21-3) and shots (9-2) with Provorov and Jiricek on the ice together.
Provorov did have two assists and looked good running the point for the top power play unit, but it was a tough night otherwise for him, Jiricek and the rest of the Blue Jackets.
Spencer Martin earns ‘save’ for Columbus Blue Jackets after Elvis Merzlikins departs with illness
Elvis Merzlikins allowed a quick goal that ricocheted off Liam Foudy’s skate 50 seconds into the game, but that was the only goal he allowed outside of two that were overturned in the first period for missed offside plays entering the Jackets’ zone.
Merzlikins stopped 24 of 25 shots before leaving with “flu” symptoms that forced the entry of backup Spencer Martin into the game for the third period. Martin was claimed off waivers from the Vancouver Canucks in the preseason and got just one preseason start with the Blue Jackets. Just like he did in the exhibition game, Martin stood tall against intense pressure from the Rangers.
He allowed two goals, but faced 17 shots while his team was outshot 17-2 in the game’s final 20 minutes. Perhaps the NHL should add “saves” for goaltenders who preserve wins the way Martin did?
“It’s my job,” Martin said. “You just have to be ready for whatever’s going to come, whether you’re busy or you wait there for a bit and let your team play at the other end. Either way, you have to be mentally sharp.”
Puck possession remains an issue for Columbus Blue Jackets
The final score looked good, but all other statistical measures and a review of the game on video should send shivers down the collective spine of the coaching staff. The Rangers owned the puck, played ‘keep away’ with it and forced Blue Jackets goalies to make numerous big saves.
New York finished with 64.5% of the game’s 5-on-5 attempts (71-39), 64.6% of unblocked attempts (53-29), 65.5% of shots on goal (36-19), 66% of scoring chances (33-17) and 60% of high-danger scoring chances (15-10). Outside of Jenner’s willingness to take abuse around the net and their goaltending, the Jackets were dominated in possession numbers for a second straight game.
That’s no way to go through an NHL season.
More: Columbus Blue Jackets: 5 questions about the opening week
Winning battles, playing faster, completing more passes and establishing a physical presence are all things that would help the Jackets get more time in the offensive zone and spend less time in their own. That’s the recipe for success Vincent is aiming to establish.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 3 observations from Columbus Blue Jackets win over New York Rangers
