It wasn’t a work of art, as Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness told his team after it secured a 6-3 win over the stagnating New York Rangers on March 19 at Nationwide Arena.
More: Columbus Blue Jackets down New York Rangers for playoff spot: Replay
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Unlike the Jackets’ previous four games, near clinical displays of disciplined hockey, what unfolded against the rudderless Rangers felt mostly defense optional.
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Fans arrive for the NHL game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the New York Rangers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 19, 2026.
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Fans arrive for the NHL game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the New York Rangers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 19, 2026.
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Fans arrive for the NHL game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the New York Rangers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 19, 2025.
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Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves (73) takes the ice for the NHL game against the New York Rangers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 19, 2026.
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The Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers warm up prior to the NHL game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 19, 2026.
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The Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers warm up prior to the NHL game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 19, 2026.
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Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Conor Garland (83) warms up prior to the NHL game against the New York Rangers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 19, 2026.
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Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson (44) jokes with his family prior to the NHL game against the New York Rangers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 19, 2026.
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Cannonballs for each goal scored are embedded in the wall of Nationwide Arena during the NHL game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the New York Rangers in Columbus on March 19, 2025.
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The Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers are set to face off in the NHL game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 19, 2026.
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Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) warms up prior to the NHL game against the New York Rangers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 19, 2025.
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Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) skates by New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider (4) during the first period of the NHL game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 19, 2025.
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Columbus Blue Jackets center Charlie Coyle (3) watches as New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) saves a shot during the first period of the NHL game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 19, 2025.
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Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves (73) makes a save during the first period of the NHL game against the New York Rangers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 19, 2025.
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Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Mason Marchment (17) grabs his eye after a New York Rangers high stick during the first period of the NHL game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 19, 2025.
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\New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck (16) celebrates a goal during the first period of the NHL game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 19, 2025.
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Columbus Blue Jackets center Isac Lundeström (21) celebrates a goal with left wing Danton Heinen (43) during the first period of the NHL game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 19, 2025.
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Fans celebrate a goal by Columbus Blue Jackets center Isac Lundeström (21) during the first period of the NHL game against the New York Rangers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 19, 2026.
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Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Conor Garland (83) reacts to a goal during the first period of the NHL game against the New York Rangers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 19, 2025.
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Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Conor Garland (83) reacts to a goal during the first period of the NHL game against the New York Rangers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 19, 2025.
That’s not Bowness’ preferred style to play, of course, so it wasn’t a Picasso. It also wasn’t a Rembrandt, van Gogh, Monet or da Vinci. The Blue Jackets did score five goals against Igor Shesterkin, the highest paid goalie in the world who typically is a thorn in their backside, so that may take it to the level of a Banksy or at least some colorful graffiti art positioned impossibly high up on a steel beam.
Or, as the saying in hockey circles goes: “They don’t ask, ‘How?’ They ask, ‘How many?’ ”
And when viewed under that lens, the Jackets’ 11th straight game with at least one point and their third straight win was magnificent. It was one of those abstract works, where the resulting splatter pattern resembled something that could happen to your carpet at home, accidentally, while trying to appease a significant other’s desire for a fresh look on the walls.
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Whoops, it’s a masterpiece.
“They’re hard games to play,” Bowness said. “They’re out of the playoffs. They’ve got a lot of speed, and they’ve got a lot of skill, and they’re just playing loose hockey. Those are very tough games to play, so that wasn’t our best. And when you can say that and still say you won the game, that’s pretty good.”
Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner scores past Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin on March 19.
So, don’t hang it in the Louvre. Do, however, hang it in the “wins” and “points” columns for the Blue Jackets, who have grown those two numbers for 11 straight games after a 4-2 loss in regulation Feb. 26 at the Boston Bruins to re-start the season following the Olympic pause.
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Combined with the New York Islanders falling 3-2 to the Ottawa Senators on Brady Tkachuk’s winner late in the third period at Canadian Tire Centre, the Jackets’ track meet victory over the Rangers moved them into third place in the Metropolitan Division.
The Jackets have played one fewer game, giving them a higher points percentage, but a long road remains until their April 14 end of the regular season. Until an ‘X’ sits next to their name in the standings, signifying a playoff spot is theirs, the Blue Jackets will focus on what’s ahead, whether it’s a canvas, a bed sheet a bridge abutment or the Seattle Kraken on March 21 at Nationwide Arena.
“(Bowness) was saying that not every game’s going to be perfect,” center Adam Fantilli said. “Not every game’s going to be a Picasso, so to find wins like that is huge. I thought we had some good desperation when we needed it, a lot of big-time goals … big (penalty) kills too. Those guys were putting it on the line, so that was great.”
Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner celebrates a goal against the Rangers on March 19.
The Jackets’ fourth line did, too, led by captain Boone Jenner.
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Skating 19 shifts, Jenner finished with two points on a goal and assist. His left wing, Isac Lundestrom, scored his fourth goal of the season to tie it 1-1 late in the first and right wing Danton Heinen assisted on Jenner’s goal.
They had a great night just two days after Charlie Coyle’s third line dominated the Carolina Hurricanes in a 5-1 win. Fantilli, who centers the top line, scored two goals against the Rangers and Conor Garland scored one for the second line.
Their scoring depth has become something to behold.
“One of the best parts about our team is how deep we are,” Fantilli said. “You go all the way down the lineup, like, Boone’s a 30-goal scorer, and he’s technically our fourth-line center, and that’s unbelievable. … and the way those two lines have come up big for us, that provides energy for everybody. Like ‘Bones’ (Bowness) always says, when we’re all looking the same without the puck, it’s really hard to play against.”
Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan skates around Rangers defenseman Adam Fox on March 19.
Watching them play was hard at times, too, especially after the Rangers tied it 2-2 on Zibanejad’s goal in the second. Past versions of the Blue Jackets might’ve crumbled on the spot, but not this one.
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This bunch picked up their brushes and painted until the picture was complete. No meltdowns. No lost points. Another win.
Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com and @BrianHedger.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets make ugly win over New York Rangers beautiful