Rangers 2, Blue Jackets 1
NEW YORK -- Center Derek Stepan scored on a short-handed breakaway with 2:48 remaining in the third period to give the New York Rangers a 2-1 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden on Monday night.
With defenseman Marc Staal serving a tripping penalty, Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh was able to force a turnover and chip the puck down the ice. Stepan gathered it for a partial breakaway and turned Blue Jackets goaltender Joonas Korpisalo inside-out for his 14th goal of the season.
The Rangers (37-20-6) won their third in a row and fifth in six games.
New York forward Eric Staal, who moved between center and left wing during his first game with the team since he was acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday, made his debut. He had one shot and played 15:43.
Right winger Mats Zuccarello also scored for the Rangers.
Right winger Cam Atkinson had the Blue Jackets' lone goal. Korpisalo made 21 saves for Columbus (26-30-8).
Rangers goaltender Antti Raanta turned aside 26 shots.
Zuccarello gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead with 2:19 remaining in the first period. On the ice with the fourth line after his linemates already changed, Zuccarello scored from a sharp angle when his wrist shot deflected off Korpisalo and into the net for his 21st goal of the season.
The score remained that way until early in the third period, when Atkinson took advantage of an attacking-zone turnover by Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi.
Girardi attempted to complete a pass near the blue line to Stepan but instead hit the speedy Atkinson's stick. Atkinson took off on a breakaway, scoring his 20th at 3:46 after Raanta stopped the initial attempt.
After Stepan gave the Rangers the lead, Korpisalo went to the bench for an extra attacker. New York center Dominic Moore came the closest to scoring on either team, as his high flip toward the open net from the blue line bounced off the crossbar.
NOTES: Blue Jackets C Boone Jenner signed a two-year contract extension before the game. ... The Blue Jackets didn't make a single trade before the trade deadline Monday. ... Rangers RW Jesper Fast (illness) did not play. ... The Rangers had a moment of silence before the game for Hall of Fame Andy Bathgate, who died Friday. He spent 12 seasons with the Rangers and won the Hart Trophy with the team in 1959. He is fourth all-time on the Rangers with 729 career points.