Blue Jackets lock up playoff spot vs. N.Y.
Panarin gets score in shootout to help Columbus recover
The Columbus Blue Jackets didn’t get discouraged after giving up the tying goal in the closing seconds of regulation.
They kept their focus and wonina shootout to clinch the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Artemi Panarin scored in the shootout and the Blue Jackets earned their third straight trip to the postseason with a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers on Friday night.
“We were one goal away still, so whether it comes in overtime or the shootout, it doesn’t matter where you get it,” Columbus’ Matt Duchene said. “We believed that we had a chance to come out on top still. We wanted to finish it tonight. ... When you’re one goal away, you want to make sure you get the job done.”
Ryan Dzingel and Panarin scored in the third period for Columbus and Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 25 shots through overtime and all three Rangers attempts in the tiebreaker.
“Just stayed with it, found a way,” Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said. “Bread (Panarin) scores a couple of big goals . ... I think it’s a good lesson for us as we push forward. Just stay with it, not get too antsy.”
The Blue Jackets, 8-2-2 in their past 12 games, hold the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. Blackhawks 6, Stars 1: Patrick Kane scored twice and Cam Ward made 25 saves in his 700th NHL game, helping Chicago pound dallas in its home finale. dylan Strome, Chris Kunitz and dominik Kahun also scored for Chicago.