The game was well out of reach. With just over 11 seconds left on the clock, the Blue Jackets and Rangers lined up for a meaningless center ice faceoff.
New York's Jonny Brodzinski easily won the draw over Columbus forward Kent Johnson, and then proceeded to deliver a hard, rising cross-check right into Johnson's mid-section. A move that has now sidelined Johnson indefinitely.
Appears Kent Johnson’s injury may have happened on the last faceoff after the second ENG. MSG feed didn’t get good look at it. But Bally’s feed did. Johnson in obvious discomfort here. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/ZkG3Uc22Mw
— Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) February 29, 2024
It goes without saying that the game was well over at this point. The Rangers had taken a 4-1 lead on the back of two empty net goals. This faceoff was a mere formality, that would set off the final few seconds of the game.
The puck was long gone by the time Brodzinski threw his stick into Johnson's ribs. To me, it looked like a clearly calculated decision by the Ranger forward. There's no other explanation for it - it's not like they were battling for a puck and he needed that ice.
All of that said, this wasn't the kind of brutal stick swinging or violent hit to the head that draws a suspension. More so, it looked like the kind of quiet message sending that only the guys on the bench will understand.
Maybe the Rangers were upset over losing the season series to the Jackets, who picked up 5 points in 4 games against them? Or, perhaps the Rangers were upset because Mathieu Olivier owned their 6'8" rookie in a fight on Sunday?
It's hard to say, and I'm sure we'll likely never know. It's an unfortunate bit of news for the Blue Jackets; another gut punch (cross-check?) in a season full of them. Hopefully Kent will heal up soon, and can get back on the ice before the campaign is finished.