COLUMBUS — After surrendering 12 goals in their previous two games, the Columbus Blue Jackets finally got the defensive performance they desperately needed Saturday night. And it couldn't have come at a better time.
Jet Greaves shut out the New York Rangers, while Kent Johnson scored the only goal of the game in overtime to give Columbus a 1-0 victory at Nationwide Arena.
The win snapped a two-game losing streak and improved the Blue Jackets to 3-3-0 on the season.
After 60 minutes of scoreless hockey, Johnson finally broke through with 1:34 remaining in overtime. Zach Werenski and Charlie Coyle assisted on the goal, Johnson's fourth of the season, ending a defensive battle in which neither team could find the back of the net during regulation.
Greaves was the difference throughout the evening, turning aside everything the Rangers sent his way. New York created several quality scoring opportunities, but the Columbus goaltender was up to the challenge, particularly during stretches when the Rangers controlled play in the Blue Jackets' defensive zone.
The Rangers came especially close early in the second period when Gabe Perreault hit the post. Greaves also faced a flurry of shots from Perreault later in the period, keeping the game scoreless heading into the third.
Columbus had opportunities of its own, but New York goaltender Dylan Garand was equally impressive. Adam Fantilli, Denton Mateychuk, Erik Gudbranson, and several other Blue Jackets generated chances, but Garand repeatedly turned them away.
The Blue Jackets also had to overcome three third-period penalties. Fantilli was called for holding early in the period, followed by a tripping penalty against Jake Christiansen and a hooking penalty against Cole Sillinger. Columbus successfully killed off all three penalties, preventing New York from capitalizing on its opportunities.
That defensive effort represented a significant improvement for a Columbus team that had struggled badly in its own end. After allowing five goals to St. Louis and seven to Florida in consecutive losses, the Blue Jackets tightened things up against a Rangers club that entered Saturday with six wins in its first nine games.
Columbus still had difficulty finishing its scoring opportunities, but the goaltending and defensive effort gave the team a chance to win. Johnson made sure that effort wouldn't go to waste.
For head coach Rick Bowness, the victory was an encouraging response to the defensive problems that had plagued the Blue Jackets during the early part of the season.
What's Next
The Blue Jackets have a quick turnaround as they travel to Minnesota to face the Wild on Sunday, October 18, at 6 p.m. ET. Columbus will look to build on Saturday's defensive performance and move above .500 for the first time since its season-opening victory.
