COLUMBUS, Ohio — In an exciting match on Saturday night, Will Cuylle netted the decisive goal with just 1:39 remaining, propelling the New York Rangers to a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Mika Zibanejad contributed significantly with a goal and an assist, while Arthur Kaliyev and Urho Vaakanainen each scored as well. Notably, Kaliyev initially had a goal credited to Cuylle since the assist was awarded to him, showcasing a strong team effort. Vincent Trocheck also made his mark with two assists, aiding the Rangers in securing their third victory in four matches. Meanwhile, Jonathan Quick showcased his skills in net, making 22 crucial saves.

Columbus saw goals from Kent Johnson, Justin Danforth, and James van Riemsdyk, as the team faced its fourth consecutive defeat, with two of those losses occurring at home. Elvis Merzlikins made 36 saves for the Blue Jackets, who remain just one point behind Detroit in the race for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Vaakanainen’s goal marked his first of the season and only the second of his NHL career as he tied the game for the Rangers just 1:57 into the final period.

In terms of overall performance, the Rangers initially appeared to control the game after Kaliyev scored just 1:56 into the first period. However, they faced challenges as they fell behind twice before orchestrating a comeback to seize the lead in the third.

On the other hand, the Blue Jackets started the match sluggishly, conceding an early goal. It wasn’t until a wake-up call from coach Dean Evason during the first media timeout that they turned the tide, managing to oversee leads in both the first and second periods. Unfortunately, Columbus could not secure the win in the end.

A key moment of the game came when Cuylle seized a loose puck from a Blue Jackets’ clearing attempt. He maneuvered to the left side and fired the puck through a crowded area, which later was determined to have deflected off Vaakanainen before eluding Merzlikins for the tying goal early in the third.

In a noteworthy statistic, Zach Werenski’s assist on Johnson’s goal marked an extension of his home point streak to 21 games, making it the fifth-longest streak by an NHL defenseman and the third-longest for an American-born player. Werenski continues to enhance the Blue Jackets’ single-season record for points by a defenseman, totaling 59 points, and he is just four assists shy of surpassing Rick Nash for the all-time franchise lead.

Looking ahead, both teams will take a break during the 4 Nations Face-Off event. The Rangers are set to visit Buffalo on February 22, while the Blue Jackets will be hosting the Chicago team.