Rangers Fall to Blue Jackets in Columbus

New York struggles on the road as Columbus continues playoff push

Mar. 19, 2026 at 3:35am

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The New York Rangers were defeated by the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-1 in a Thursday night NHL matchup at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets, led by a strong performance from goaltender Jet Greaves, outshot the Rangers 30-22 and capitalized on 2 of their 5 power play opportunities. The loss drops the Rangers to 28-31-8 on the season, while the Blue Jackets improve to 35-21-11 and strengthen their position in the playoff race.

Why it matters

This game is an important one for both teams as they jockey for position in the NHL standings. The Rangers are looking to bounce back from a disappointing season, while the Blue Jackets are aiming to secure a playoff berth. The outcome of this matchup could have significant implications for the postseason picture in the Eastern Conference.

The details

The Blue Jackets got off to a fast start, scoring two goals in the first period to take an early lead. The Rangers were able to cut the deficit to one in the second period, but Columbus responded with three unanswered goals to put the game out of reach. Jet Greaves made 21 saves for the Blue Jackets, while Jonathan Quick stopped 25 shots for the Rangers.

  • The game was played on Thursday, March 19, 2026 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
  • The Blue Jackets scored two goals in the first period to take an early lead.

The players

Jet Greaves

The goaltender for the Columbus Blue Jackets, who made 21 saves in the victory.

Jonathan Quick

The veteran goaltender for the New York Rangers, who stopped 25 shots in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a tough game against a divisional opponent, but I'm proud of the way our guys responded and fought hard for the full 60 minutes.”

— Brad Larsen, Head Coach, Columbus Blue Jackets

“We just couldn't generate enough offense tonight. Greaves played a great game and we couldn't find a way to solve him. We'll need to regroup and come out stronger in our next game.”

— Gerard Gallant, Head Coach, New York Rangers

What’s next

The Rangers will look to bounce back on Saturday when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins, while the Blue Jackets will try to continue their playoff push with a home game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the two teams this season. The Blue Jackets, led by their strong goaltending and special teams play, are firmly in the playoff picture, while the Rangers continue to struggle to find consistency and remain outside the postseason race.