Gaborik Helps Rangers Dominate Blue Jackets In 7-4 Win

The New York Rangers easily handled the Columbus Blue Jackets in monday's 7-4 victory, scoring seven times in slightly more than the first half of the game and moving into a 3rd place tie with the Philadelphia Flyers in the competitive Atlantic Division. The Blue Jackets jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the 1st period on goals by rookie Derek MacKenzie and Jared Boll who beat Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist, but after the midpoint of the 1st, it was all Rangers as they scored three times in less than 6 minutes to take the lead.

Marian Gaborik, with his first of 2 goals on the night, cut the lead to 2-1 and then Artem Anisimov tied it up with Gaborik assisting. Anisimov also had 2 assists on the night. Michael Del Zotto scored an unassisted goal at 17:19 of the 1st to give the Rangers the lead.

In the 2nd period, pesky Sean Avery scored his 3rd and 4th goals this season, the 2nd one on the power play. Gaborik put the Rangers up 6-2 with his 18th of the season, tying him with the Sharks Dany Heatley for the league lead in goals so far this season. The Blue Jackets pulled goalie Chris Mason after Avery's second goal and replaced him with Mathieu Garon, but he faired just as badly, allowing 3 more goals.

At this point Jared Boll fought with New York's Aaron Voros so with his goal, assist and fighting major, Boll had the elusive "Gordie Howe Hat Trick" and for good measure, Boll also fought Donald Brasher in the 3rd period. Matt Gilroy put the Rangers up 7-2 at 12:47 of the 2nd.

Kristian Huselius and Jakub Voracek scored 2 more for the Blue Jackets, but Columbus couldn't inch any closer to the Rangers. This was a gift for Rangers' coach John Tortorella as the Rangers had just 9 goals in the team's previous 5 games.