Mats Zuccarello battles James Wisniewski during Rangers’ 5-2 loss to Jackets.
AP Photo/Jay LaPrete Getty Images

The Rangers were defeated by the Blue Jackets 5-2 at Nationwide Arena. It was every bit as bad as the score indicated. There were only a couple of bright spots. The first being rookie Anthony Duclair, who recorded his first two NHL points- setting up both New York goals. The Duke looks like he’ll stay after assisting on Lee Stempniak and Rick Nash markers. Unfazed, the 19-year old 2013 third round pick also nearly had his first goal when he abused James Wisniewski only to have his shot go off the crossbar.

It was a turning point because had it gone in, that would’ve tied the game. Instead, the Blue Jackets responded minutes later when Cam Atkinson scored putting them up 3-1. Victimized on the play was Kevin Klein, who had a dreadful night. In his first game on the second pair with Marc Staal, he was responsible for two goals against. That included Nick Foligno beating him twice to put Columbus up 2-0 after the first period. A period largely controlled by the more physical hosts who ran roughshod.

Revved up by a sold out arena, the Jackets dominated the Rangers early with tremendous forecheck pressure and puck possession. Eventually, it led to ex-Blueshirt Artem Anisimov rifling home his second in two games past backup Cam Talbot. He came off the bench and no one picked him up. Ex-Flyer pest Scott Hartnell set him up. Hartnell was his usual self mixing it up with Stempniak with a late hit on a delayed Columbus penalty. It easily could’ve been a full two-man advantage but the Rangers got the short end of the stick the entire game. Columbus Day is Monday. Maybe the stripes were in a giving mood.

Not many Blueshirts played well in the first. Stempniak was an exception. He also stood out in the win at St. Louis. It seemed like every time he was on the ice, good things happened. He was later rewarded when off some strong work by Marc Staal and Duclair, Stempniak beat Sergei Bobrovsky top shelf to get the Rangers within 2-1. Afterwards, they had their most sustained pressure coming close to drawing even. Bobrovsky was strong making 24 saves including a highlight reel stone job on Martin St. Louis, who Rick Nash fed on the doorstep only to see the former Vezina winner stack the pads. At the time, they trailed 3-1.

Mats Zuccarello had a rough time. He finished minus-four and struggled mightily along with linemate Derick Brassard. Neither has looked right without departed Oiler Benoit Pouliot. They really haven’t done much so far. Outside of Zuccarello’s surprising scrap with T.J. Oshie, he hasn’t been himself. The Jackets targeted him. Every time they had a chance, they hit him. Even though Jack Skille didn’t mean to run into him. It looked worse than thought with Skille coming high. But he clearly didn’t see him with a minute left in the second. That was enough for Chris Kreider, who finally stepped in for his fallen teammate and drew an instigator, major and misconduct earning 17 penalty minutes.

This could’ve been avoided if Glen Sather had an actual enforcer. Instead, there’s Alain Vigneault Christmas ornament Tanner Glass, who did much of nothing including getting a bizarre roughing minor for sneezing on Dalton Prout following a run-in at the bench. Glass supplied good penalty killing in the first game but was useless tonight. Why he and Jesper Fast played with Dominic Moore is beyond me. Against a physical division rival who didn’t seem to miss three of their toughest forwards (Dubinsky, Horton, Jenner), it was baffling. But that’s Vigneault, who likes to stick with the same lineup after wins. This is a different roster with bigs Ryan Malone and Kevin Hayes more than capable. He’s already hinted a decision on Hayes, which could mean Hartford before he even debuts.

In net, Talbot did his best despite lack of support. In their first game without top four defenseman Dan Boyle, the Rangers struggled mightily. Klein was a Del Zaster hurting Staal, who got victimized on Marko Dano’s goal that made it 4-1 with under seven minutes left. With Zuccarello and Glass standing around watching, Dano spun off Staal and steered in a Prout rebound adding insult to injury. Staal finished with an assist and was minus-two. On for three goals against, he was more the victim of some really poor defensive play. The forwards did a lousy job and Klein I already mentioned.

The third pair of John Moore and Matt Hunwick was an adventure. Hunwick especially looked challenged dealing with the Jackets’ speed. It’s not easy going against the likes of Ryan Johansen, Atkinson and Foligno. It doesn’t help knowing Mike Kostka (Kostco) is the extra. I’d much rather see Dylan McIlrath but doubt the organization wants to rush him. The Wolf Pack season just started. One way or the other, Sather must do something.

With the game seemingly out of reach, great persistence by Duclair resulted in Nash scoring against his former team. Booed all night, he took a great feed by Duke and buried home his third in two games. I really like what I’ve seen from Nash, who looks more confident and is looking to shoot. They need him. I also was impressed with the chemistry he and Duclair had with Martin St. Louis. It’s obvious that Brassard and Zuccarello could use a big body. My suggestion is keep Duke on the top line for tomorrow and start Kreider with Brassard and Zuccarello. The third line should be Carl Hagelin with J.T. Miller and Stempniak. Hagelin btw had a quiet game going minus-two. Miller had a couple of chances but could’ve made better decisions with the puck.

Trailing by two late, Vigneault pulled Talbot with three minutes left. I don’t mind it as long as he sticks offensive guys out. They were down two. So what the heck was Klein doing out there? If anything, put John Moore out. Ryan McDonagh had one noticeable play going end to for a shorthanded attempt. Outside of that, it was a night to forget for him and Dan Girardi. They went a combined minus-three.

There’s not much else left to say. Tomorrow they finally return to MSG for the home opener versus the Maple Leafs. Toronto is already 0-2 and look dreadful. They gotta win that one before the Islanders visit Tuesday. Onto the next one.

New York Puck 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Fedor Tyutin, CBJ (finished +5 in 18:44-strong game for Tyuts)

2nd Star-Anthony Duclair, NYR (2 assists for 1st 2 points, +2-Duke is legit).

1st Star-Cam Atkinson, CBJ (2 goals, 5 SOG for the mighty mite)