More Than Meets The Eye: Blue Jackets Big Win Over NYR

Going into Thursday nights game in New York, there was much discussion in the media about the players on each team that were playing against former teams. Former Blue Jackets like Rick Nash and Derek Dorsett, and former Rangers like Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky were plastered  across every outlet in Columbus and the Big Apple, which effectively dwarfed the magnitude of the game with regards to the standings.

Dec 12, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman

(27) and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman

(7) battle for position during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

In my opinion, I think Nash and the Rangers were taken by surprise during the game. I think they expected a lot of attention to be paid to Nash, and less attention to be paid to the game itself. But it was just the opposite.

The Blue Jackets went in to MSG and put up 3 goals on Henrik Lundqvist in the 1st period, which is no small feat, and they kept going for the remainder of the game, tying the Rangers and Flyers in the Metro division for the 4th place spot behind Carolina. Luckily, CBJ hold the the tie-breaker over both teams for that spot, but each team has 31 points.

The fact that the Blue Jackets took 4th place from NYR is great in itself, but considering that they did it MSG, the win holds even more weight in the minds of CBJ fans.  And to beat Rick Nash and Dorsett and all the Rangers fans who harassed Jackets fans about the notion that Nash couldn’t stand Columbus is satisfying in itself.

Dec 12, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman

(58) is congratulated by left wing

(71) after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

My point in this article is that there needs to be a little more satisfaction with this win. It seems as though most people have simply listed this as another win, but in my opinion it’s just fine to let this one linger a bit longer. I know the team needs to focus on the game at hand against St. Louis tonight, but it’s okay, as fans, to enjoy the win over the Rangers a bit more.

However you look at it, whether it’s a win over Nash and Dorsett, claiming 4th place in the Metro, or beating the Rangers in MSG, this win is a great win, and we should fully appreciate it.