The New York Rangers got exactly what they needed from Dylan Garand and almost nothing else.
That’s why they left Columbus with a 1-0 overtime loss to the Blue Jackets, a game decided by Kent Johnson’s goal at 3:27 of regulation after Garand had spent most of the night keeping New York afloat. The rookie goalie was sharp from the start, then turned downright brilliant when the Rangers needed him most, only for the offense to disappear against Jet Greaves and a Columbus team that looked much more connected defensively than it had in its previous game.
Garand, who was pulled early in the second period of Thursday’s 7-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils, finished with 28 saves in a strong rebound effort. His best work came late, when Columbus poured on the pressure and outshot the Rangers 7-0 over the final seven minutes of regulation. He also helped New York survive a Blue Jackets power play that carried 1:27 into overtime after Will Cuylle was called for interference with 33 seconds left in regulation.
The Rangers even managed to clear that danger once Cuylle exited the box and the teams went to 4-on-4. But Columbus kept it simple and punishing: Charlie Coyle drove down the right wall, found Zach Werenski at the left point, and Werenski slid the puck to Johnson just inside the right circle. Johnson unloaded a one-timer that beat Garand cleanly and set off the cannon for the only goal of the night.
New York had 29 shots but could not solve Greaves, who picked up the fifth shutout of his career. The Rangers did put together stretches where they looked ready to break through, especially in the opening period, but Columbus blocked everything it could and Greaves handled the rest.
The first period stayed scoreless as both teams started with the kind of caution that made sense after each had given up seven goals in its previous outing. New York held Columbus without a shot for nearly five minutes in the middle of the period, then came closest to opening the scoring around the 12-minute mark.
Greaves denied Cuylle twice in a 30-second span, while Columbus defenders blocked four other attempts and Noah Laba’s deflection went just wide. The Rangers ended the period ahead 9-7 in shots on goal, though Columbus had blocked nine more attempts.
The penalty kill also held up early, with New York shutting down Columbus after Vladislav Gavrikov was called for holding at 13:47.
The second period brought more of the same: chances at both ends, no finish from either side. Columbus’ best opening came on a delayed penalty when Sean Durzi was set to be called for holding near the seven-minute mark and Greaves left the net for an extra attacker.
Garand made the stop of the period there, robbing Adam Fantilli on a one-timer from the slot. He then turned away Cole Sillinger after the Rangers killed the penalty, and later denied Eric Gudbranson on a rebound try.
The Rangers had their own looks, and Gabe Perreault had the best of them with just over three minutes left in the period. The son of former NHL center Yanic Perreault cut through the defense from the right circle and forced Greaves into a strong glove save on a backhander.
The rebound was momentarily available, but Greaves got there first and covered it up. Perreault finished with a team-high six shots on goal.
Oliver Bjorkstrand also missed wide on a pair of close chances, and Perreault couldn’t connect after Zach Werenski got a piece of Adam Fox’s shot.
Through 40 minutes, New York held a 19-18 edge in shots on goal and a 43-39 advantage in attempts, but the game remained scoreless.
The Rangers carried that energy into the third period and owned the first two-thirds of it, outshooting Columbus 10-2 over the opening 13 minutes. Five of those shots came on three power plays, and Greaves stood his ground. He stopped Mika Zibanejad on a deflection during the first man advantage and later denied Bjorkstrand on another quality chance.
Garand then took over again, turning away Werenski and Johnson in quick succession, stopping Mathieu Olivier’s wrister with just over two minutes left and then robbing Werenski with 16 seconds to go to force overtime.
He wasn’t done there. Garand opened the extra frame by denying Johnson and Sean Monahan from close range during Columbus’ power play. But the Rangers could not generate a shot of their own before Johnson finally ended it.
Mike Sullivan had seen enough from his goalie to know the effort was there.
“I thought it was a huge response,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “He was solid in there.
I thought he made timely saves for us. I thought he was real good.”
Even with the loss, New York comes home for Monday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks at 6-3-1, a sharp improvement over last season’s 3-5-2 start through 10 games.
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