Blue Jackets defeat Rangers, move back into third

NEW YORK --Alexander Wennberg and Cam Atkinson each scored twice to help the Columbus Blue Jackets defeat the New York Rangers 5-2 at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.
Columbus (39-16-5) moved one point ahead of New York (40-20-2) for third place in the Metropolitan Division. The Blue Jackets are 2-0-0 since a five-day break, having defeated the New York Islanders 7-0 on Saturday.

"Two huge divisional rivals, especially with how the standings are now," Atkinson said. "These points are crucial. ... When you are on break, you're watching your rivals play and get points and you're just sitting back wishing that you could play. When I looked at the standings, I don't know if it was before this game or last game, we were in a wild card spot."
WATCH: All Blue Jackets vs. Rangers highlights
Bobrovsky made 28 saves for Columbus, which won for the fourth time in its past five games.
Wennberg gave the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead 1:02 into the game when he deflected David Savard's point shot past Henrik Lundqvist.

Rick Nash, who was stopped on a breakaway earlier in the period, made it 1-1 at 4:07 with his 18th of the season.
Atkinson gave the Blue Jackets a 2-1 lead with a power-play goal at 6:47 on a knucklepuck that got past Lundqvist.
"We got a nice first goal by [Wennberg] to get us on the board," Atkinson said. "Our power play switched it around a little bit, different sides (on his first goal). That was a nice goal. It's always nice to score goals."

Lundqvist stopped Brandon Saad on a penalty shot with 53 seconds remaining in the first period after he was held by Mats Zuccarello while on a breakaway to keep it a 2-1 game.
Wennberg scored his 11th goal and second of the game at 9:47 of the second period to give Columbus a 3-1 lead. Atkinson got his second, and 29th of the season, 4:12 into the third.
Columbus, which defeated the Rangers for the third time in five games this season, has scored 21 goals against New York.
"It was a huge win for us, especially where the standings are at," said Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky, who had an assist. "I think we put in six periods and now we get a little rest before we have our tough game in Montreal (on Tuesday)."

Josh Anderson scored with 23 seconds left to make it 5-1 before Jester Fast scored for the Rangers just before time expired to make it 5-2.
The Rangers, who fell to 9-2-1 in their past 12 games, lost for the first time in the past seven home games (5-1-1).
"We've had a good stretch here where things have been going our way," Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh said. "We're been finding ways to win but you've got to come ready to play and come ready to put in a 60-minute effort here and we didn't do that."

Lundqvist, who made 21 saves, has allowed 15 goals on 102 shots in four games against Columbus this season.
"They just win battles their battles in front of our net and they are pretty good in front of their own net," Lundqvist said. "I think that's the difference. That's where you score a lot of goals."

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Goal of the game

Nash scored of a pretty passing play with Jimmy Vesey and Derek Stepan. Stepan sent a pass to Vesey, who made a no-look, cross-ice pass to Nash, whose snap shot got past Bobrovsky.

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Save of the game

With the Blue Jackets holding a three-goal lead with three minutes remaining, Bobrovsky made a lunging save with his right pad to deny Chris Kreider's attempt.

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Unsung performance of the game

In addition to his assist, Dubinsky dominated the faceoff circle, winning 19 of 26 draws (73 percent).

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Highlight of the game

Saad had a breakaway after a turnover at center ice and raced in on Lundqvist. He was awarded the penalty shot when Zuccarello interfered with him, but Lundqvist made a great save, getting a piece of the puck with his glove to keep the game 2-1.

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They said it

"Coming off of a break playing six periods like we have, you feel good about your game. It was good, solid play in all areas. ... We probably played six of our best periods all year." --Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella
"Tonight, there's no doubt that the whole group was off." -- Rangers coach Alain Vignealt
"They were the better team tonight. I think in the second period, we had a lot of zone time but we really didn't generate anything because they defended the right way. They were the better team. They deserve the two points tonight."-- Rangers center Derek Stepan

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Need to know

The Rangers fell to 8-2-0 in the second of back-to-back games this season. The Blue Jackets are 7-3-3 in the second of back-to-back games. ... Lundqvist remains one win from tying Grant Fuhr for 10th on the all-time list (403). ... Ten players had at least one point for the Blue Jackets.

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What's next

Blue Jackets:At the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET; RDS, SNE, FS-O, NHL.TV)
Rangers:Host the Washington Capitals on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; SN1, TVA Sports, SNO, SNP, MSG, CSN-DC+, NHL.TV)